Before going to scan the 'plough', I thought I'd give 40 mins to the lake and wet woods, just to check for my first Blackcap of the year, and to see if any more Goosander were about. As it happened neither species were found. At the lake there was just a GREY HERON, sitting atop a fir tree, but there was a bit of interest in the woods, where the pair of MARSH TITS were still active, I really hope they stay to breed. I also watched a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER excavate a nest hole in an old rotten silver birch limb. Song was heard from GOLDCREST, GREAT TIT, COAL TIT, SISKIN, and a TREECREEPER.
The rest of the afternoon was spent sitting on the horse jump at migrant alley, scanning the clods of freshly turned earth, within a few minutes I found a nice WHEATEAR, the second this spring, always an excellent bird to find inland. despite a 2hour sit, I only found the one, but there were other birds to keep me amused, 20-30 PIED WAGTAILS were also chasing down insects on the sun drenched earth, and 2 LINNETS came down for a while, above a SKYLARK was entertaining me with it's trilling song, and a lone HERRING GULL kept coming and going. The usual flock of JACKDAW, CARRION CROW and ROOK were making the most of the upturned soil too. I was a bit surprised that the winter thrushes weren't represented. The FIELDFARE were there this morning, but they go elsewhere in the afternoon it seems.
On the way home I saw a notice tied to the style that enters onto migrant alley, it read ''Footpath Closed'' for the next six months, this is due to the gas pipe line passing through. lets hope the dog walkers take note, I sure won't!!
Above and below are pics. of the Wheatear. It was a bit far out on the plough to get a good photo, but these will do.
Below is one of the 2 dozen or sp Pied Wagtails that were on the plough
Below is the Great Spotted Woodpecker I found excavating it's nest hole
last of all the Grey Heron, surveying the lake from a tree top
12 comments:
Nowt wrong with them photos, Warren. Goos stuff.
I meant Good stuff. Sorry mate, my minds all over the place at the mo.
Great photos Warren...2 you are right, 2 Wheatear already is brilliant
Just catching up after being away for a week. Some brilliant photos and well done with the spring migrants.
Well done on no 2 - sure you'll be in double figures before the years out. Searched like crazy for one on my patch today, but no luck. I'm very impatient!
Ad
Well done on the Wheatears Warren, great photos.
Hi Warren.If the keep out sign does stop the dog walkers, then maybe it wil bring the birds in. Nice pics of the Wheatears.
I will have to keep a look out for 1 over here now that the Spring migrants are arriving.
Great post and birds Warren - lucky you getting the Wheatear and the GSW creating a nest hole!
Hi Mate, theres nowt wron g with them pics, bloody lovely.
and I meant to add: those pics are much more than "will do"
Wheatears! Lucky bugger...I'll not get one till they are on their way home at this rate...
Interesting post. It's so nice to just sit and observe for a couple of hours...heaven!! Nice photos...
Post a Comment