Thursday 3 December 2009

Having been struck down with another virus, I didn't get out at all today. All I managed was a few hours watchng the garden feeders, which at times were very busy. A flock of 30-40 mixed finch's came and went, mostly GOLDFINCH, a max. of 18 were on the sunflower hearts, and there was a peak of 9 CHAFFINCH and 11 GREENFINCH.

Many Tits were using the feeders, and although the most I counted at one time was 13 BLUE TITS, 7 GREAT TITS and 2 COAL TITS, I know that many more actually visited during the day. Only a peak of 4 HOUSE SPARROWS was recorded, the same as DUNNOCK, it seems the House Sparrow is still unwilling to use the feeders, presumably still warey of the Sparrowhawk, which was nowhere to be seen, and hasn't been for the past week.

3 STARLNGS fed on the recently purchased fat blocks, and 6 BLACKBIRDS fed on fallen scraps from the feeders, as did a peak of 5 COLLARED DOVES, while 2 ROBINS chased each other around the shrubs.

Other less common visitors, were two NUTHATCH, 2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, 3 WOODPIGEON, 2 MAGPIES, 3 JACKDAWS, and a WREN.

I kept my eye on the sky, and out over the wet woods and greenhouse complex from my upstairs windows, and added 2 new species for the Dec. list, nothing exciting just HERRING GULL and REDWING, bringing the months list to just 42, still 31 behind the huge december total of last year. Other species seen were FIELDFARE, CARRION CROW, ROOK, MALLARD and GREENWOODPECKER.

Not a very satisfactory day for me ! I just hope this virus Ive contracted doesn't hang around too long, but the way i'm coughing, and with the fuzzy headaches i'm getting, it doesn't look to good for the weekend. :-(

8 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Still very impressed by your impressive garden sightings - 1 dunnock would be high count here! I prescribe lots of single malt whisky to drown those little viri before they get too established.

Chin up

D

Phil said...

I agree with the last comment Warren, large scotch, and if that doesn't work try another until it does!
Phil

Sharon said...

Warren you poor thing - lets hope this one doesn't last very long! Still, at least you can see birds coming & going in the garden which sounds extremely busy! I also agree about the whiskey ;-)

Pete Woodruff said...

Like everyone else I'm sorry to hear you are once again 'off colour' Warren, the only good thing to say here is that hopefully you'll be A1 for Christmas and the New Year.

By the way I observed 10 Dunnock in just a few minutes last Friday including 6 together, this was a new experience for me in seeing so many of the species almost all together.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: Hope you are soon feeling better. Sounds like you had quite the grouping of birds today.

Tony Morris said...

Warren, try putting a gold fish bowl (with fish) in the garden, you too can have a new feeder!
Tony

Anonymous said...

Oh no, not again, Warren. Get well soon, mate.

PS : i wish my garden feeding station was half as lively as yours.

ShySongbird said...

Sorry you are not so well again Warren, I seem to remember you work at a school, (apologies if I have that wrong) kids seem to be the worst culprits for spreading germs. I hope you shake this one off quickly, I think I may have one too :(

Great that you can still see plenty of bird activity from your window, binoculars in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other....perfect!

I'm still envying those Nuthatches and Woodpeckers.