Monday 20 October 2008

A strong wind, and spits of rain greeted me as I left work this afternoon, and it only got worse, as the light faded, and the rain got heavier. I contemplated staying in and watching the garden, but with the persistent sparrowhawk attacks, it's pretty much a waste of time, long gone are the days of 30-40 Goldfinch and up to 70 Greenfinch fighting over the sunflower hearts!
In the end I grabbed my scope and bins, put on some warm waterproof gear, and went up to Migrant Alley. I squeezed up against the hedge for shelter and spent 90 mins watching the sky and fields. Alas, I didn't find the 100th species for the year, nor the one new species needed this month to equal the October record of 64. I watched the LINNET flock out in the Maize stubbles, and scanned it for something more exciting, I did the same for the smaller MEADOW PIPIT flock, but nothing showed up. There were half a dozen SKYLARK, that flew up and started trilling, a few seconds later 30 at least dropped out of the gloomy sky, and settled down in the stubble, the original half dozen birds must have heard the flock coming in.
The usual Corvid flock were their flighty selves, and the resident PIED WAGTAILS flew around the greenhouses, a few HERRIN GULLS flew over, but not much was happening today. By 16:00 I was heading back home for a deserved brew, I drank my tea whilst watching the feeders, and saw just GREAT and BLUE TITS in one's and two's, and they only stayed long enough to grab a seed and go.
Steve from http://newhythe.blogspot.com/ asked me what I thought my 100th species would be for the year, well........I can only think of two real possibilities, - a Golden Plover, or more probable that Tawny Owl that I keep listening out for! Outside possibilities include Green Sandpiper, or maybe a duck species on the lake, a real outside bet would be a Firecrest. Of course I may see none of these and get left on 99 species as i did last year!!
No pics. today, the weather and light were just too rubbish

2 comments:

Kingsdowner said...

You certainly deserve your century with such perseverance.
The old subject of 'how many birds must be in an area and not be seen' is answered by your fieldwork - lots (99 species at least).
I think the 100th will be a flyover ostrich.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: You are really persistant to go out on a bad day and fight the weather. Good for you for your love of birds.