Saturday 4 April 2009

The first complete walk round my patch of the month, and the census took place under dull misty and, at times , drizzly weather. A total of just over 670 birds, of 52 species were found, with the most abundant being the WOODPIGEON, with 90 birds present. BLACKBIRDS were well represented, with 39 recorded, and BLUE TIT, ROBIN and GREAT TIT all scored in the high twenties, it was also good to see 9 CHIFFCHAFF in various places around my patch. This mornings highlight was finding a COMMON SNIPE, flushed from a wet ditch, at the smallholding, always a scarce bird here, and this was the first ever April bird. Other 'winter' birds found were a single FIELDFARE, 3 MEADOW PIPITS and a SISKIN, with four more of the latter feeding in my garden.

It was evident that there was a movement of HERRING GULLS, as 51 were seen going west in varying numbers, from just 1 t0 11.

After the drizzle and mist had cleared around midday, I took my scope over to migrant alley, to scan the sky and fields. The first SWALLOW of the day flew over, but another sighting of the PEREGRINE was welcome, as it flew over and onto the tower. Two SPARROWHAWKS and a KESTREL were also seen, but bird of the day, for me, probably goes to the WHEATEAR, seen out on the ploughed field, my third this year.

Due to the poor weather this morning I didn't get any pics. But this afternoon I took the photo's below in my garden of this female SISKIN.




11 comments:

Josh Jenkins Shaw said...

Another Wheatear! I still havnt seen one this year.

darrell j prest said...

great siskin photos

Greenie said...

Warren ,
Like the female Siskin shots .

lee said...

Superb photos Warren, Well done on the wheatear i still haven't seen one this year, but i did see a Willow warbler in Paddockwood today.

Chris said...

Hi Warren,
I'm still amazed by the diversity of your patch!!! i would like to see 52 species in that amount of time. Today I went out and barely saw more than 15 species!!!

ShySongbird said...

Lovely Siskin photos Warren.

Mike H said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mike H said...

Warren,
Great siskin photos. I had a first in my garden today feeding on sunflower chips.I didnt have my camera to hand!

Anonymous said...

Your Sisken's look just like ours. I find them a pleasure to watch at the feeders.

Kelly said...

...the second siskin is beautiful!! She looks so soft and almost has a radiance around her. That aside, I am totally amazed at your ability to keep track of birds...670 birds...52 species. Incredible.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: We have Pine sisken over here and you got two great shots of them.