Saturday 19 April 2008

I woke up at 6:00am this morning, looked out the window and saw the dire weather conditions and made the decision to return to my bed! A rare victory for the weather. However, I did venture out around 8:30 when it had improved slightly. An hour and a half around migrant alley was akin to the month of February birdwise. Seems the birds had done the same as me and stayed at roost, only a group of 15 HERRING GULLS and 4 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS, were on the sheep pasture and 3 SKYLARK were on the ploughed field. Just one CHIFFCHAFF gave a short burst of song from the small headland at the north end of migrant alley.
Another 90 minute outing to the same area around 13:30 was even less productive, just 2 male MALLARD came in onto the ploughed field!
Much of the day was spent watching the garden feeders, 17 species made the most of what was on offer, sunflower hearts, peanuts and soaked bread. The JACKDAWS and MAGPIES that came in were seen off by Mr MISTLE THRUSH as was a SPARROWHAWK, not before it took one of the GOLFINCH though. A WREN that came in was a welcome sight, not one of the usual species, and a pair of BULLFINCH were tantalisingly near to the garden, sitting in an apple tree in the nieghbours garden. Lets hope tomorrow the weather relents somewhat, and I can find some spring migrants.

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