So it was all change again in the woods, no proper singing today, apart from a MISTLE THRUSH, but they sing in any weather, the stormier the better, hence their old name of ''Stormcock''. I did come across the pair of MARSH TITS though, I wonder if they will stay to breed this year, also a couple of GOLDCREST, and a calling COAL TIT. As I approached the lake area, the smell of bonfire smoke filled the air, this wasn't from the groundsman of one of the big houses, but from an apple orchard on the edge of my patch. The hole 16acres of apple trees and associated habitat was being chainsawed and burned, and why? so some spoilt horsey type woman can have some paddocks for her horses, what a waste! Now if the gods want to get one over on someone here are the perfect candidates. Pretty soon most of Kent will be one bloody great paddock!
Rant over!! At least on the lake one of the GOOSANDER had remained, one of the stunning males, but trying to photograph it proved near impossible, as he always kept at least 20 yards from me, and the light was awful.
Over at migrant alley, I saw that the wild grassy area by the Raspberry canes, much used by the Barn owl (whilst it was here), and still by the Kestrels, had been ploughed, why I dont know, it's just a small area, only 100 yards by 30. I suppose the long grass looked untidy and someone complained about it, more habitat destruction, all the small areas, so vital to our wildlife seem to be going the same way - ''Tidied Up''. I wondered off over to the horse jump at Migrant alley, but I was just too p*ssed of off to stay focused on the birds, I only stayed 10mins, and walked off home in a depressed state.
That's how it is on my patch though, up one day with a great sighting, and down the next, frustrated at the moron landowners. I chose this patch, as I knew it represented a typical piece of the kent countryside, so i'll keep on recording all the changes, even if they are negative ones. Oh well , sorry for the negative posting today - but the good thing about blogging is I can have a bloody good moan!
PS still no Chiffchaff yet!
Below are some attempted photo's of the Male Goosander, not very good are they! It was fun trying though.
7 comments:
Shame about the orchard Warren, I heard Dave talking to you about it...still, look on the brightside, the Chiffchaff will arrive and then you will have a good day.
Hi Warren, as birders we are more in tune with whats going on in the countryside than your general visitor so I think we all feel like you when we seen something plundered for no apparent reason. Up here its hedges. Our farmers love them flailed into 4 foot cubes and ploughed right up to the edge. Take a day off go elsewhere, then regroup and start again... :)
Sorry to read about all the destruction on your patch Warren. So many landowners could'nt care less about wildlife. I agree with everything you say.
Warren ,
Sorry to hear about the orchard .
Just what you needed on top of the pipeline .
Easy on the tablets mate .
Hey, Warren. SE`s forecast for Tuesday, that should bring the migrants in.
Hello Warren. Your report is just one in a long line of what's happening in our countryside these days. I'm afraid most of the wealthy toffs today are only interested in one thing, themselves.If they want to do something they will, and if they can't, then they use that ol thing called money to get what they want. See Warren, now you have me moaning. Anyway at least you went out today, and one of the Goosander@s hung around for you.Hopefully tomorrow will be better day.
...I'm shocked someone would take out 16 acres of apple trees!!! That's insane, and sad. Over here, trees fall for shopping malls and housing, and it breaks my heart. Interesting about the Mistle Thrush...
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