Saturday 13 February 2010

Another full patch walk this morning, the 14th one this year, and it proved to be one of the poorest, for species recorded, just 39. I really had to work hard for them as well, in fact if I discounted flyovers and birds only heard, the total would be in the low 20's!

I'm not sure of the reasons for such a lack of species on my patch over the last few days, its probably due to more than one reason, the cold and sometimes windy weather, the continual barrage of gas cannons in nearby fields and quite a bit of dog walker disturbance.

Best of the birdy bunch today however was seeing the hundreds of FIELDFARE and REDWING on the sheep pasture and paddocks at Migrant Alley, some allowed quite close approach, as they do at this time of year. A GOLDCREST at the College grounds was busy feeding in a pine tree, oblivious to me trying to take its photo, a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER was drumming nearby and a COAL TIT sang in the college gardens. Two LINNETS along the College stream was nice to see, they are the first birds to stay on my patch this year, rather than just use it as a roost site.

The lake had just 4 MALLARD and two CANADA GEESE, but the surrounding scrub was quiet, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Coal and Marsh Tit failed to show here today, although a pair of NUTHATCH'S did come into the garden this afternoon, and so scraped the daylist up to the 40 mark.

Things can only pick up for tomorrows walk!




Above is a Fieldfare and below is a Redwing, these were on the colege sports pitch.

Below is a STARLING, this bird was giving Tawny Owl ''kewit'' calls!


Lastly is the Goldcrest from the college grounds, only one was seen today.






8 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Keep at it Warren - tomorrow is another day and there's goodies lurking out there.

Cheers

Davo

swatson said...

Warren I admire your daily endeavours to see your birds and love your photos especially the tiny goldcrest and the redwing which I think has such a beautiful face
Sheila

Ken. said...

Hi Warren.
You may have had a bad days count, but it wasn't through want of trying. Nice photo's especially the striking Redwing.
Good luck out there tomorrow.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: What fun birds you have shown today.

FAB said...

Warren. The birds need some sunshine to bring them out into the open. Hope tomorrow brings more into view. FAB.

Chris said...

Hi Warren,
I envy you with two things on this post, first the fieldfare picture and second the goldcrest one. It is almost impossible to get the latter really beautifully around here. They are never on the edge of the trees over here.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: That Fieldfare is such an unusual bird. It looks like a cross of several birds.

Jann said...

I can't wait for the early spring birds to start arriving in 3-4 weeks...things will pick up soon for you too I'd think..?! I think you are seeing a decent number of different birds personally; hang in there.