Wednesday 10 March 2010

10 days into March, and the spring seems to have made little impression, certainly around my patch anyway. The cold is still here, as well as a cutting notherly wind, much the same as it has been all week.

If the day had carried on as it started, I could have looked forward to an ok day. First thing this morning, as I put my key in the back door to leave for work, I looked up and saw a GREY HERON (57) at the end of the garden in a neighbours apple tree,about time one showed up for the March list, - I didn't quite expect it there though!

Grey Heron, in apple tree.

The rest of the day was downhill from there. I spent 90 mins around the usual afternoon haunts, but managed to see very little, perhaps the birds are as fed up with the cold wind as I am. I dont think I can even pick out a highlight of the walk, except maybe the COOT on the lake. I tried to photograph a couple of GOLDCRESTS that were in the scrub around the lake, but failed miserably, they were too active feeding today, a couple of COAL TITS were nearby as I did so.

I couldn't locate a feeding flock in the wet woods, or the finch flock in the Small holding, it was just one of those quiet days.

The garden feeders had a few visitors though, including the pesky SPARROWHAWK. 19 species were seen in a 45 min window watch, best being the BRAMBLING and LONG TAILED TIT again.

COME ON SPRING MOVE YOURSELF!!! :-)

Brambling.




10 comments:

Chris said...

Well done on the heron Warren! Same thing here, come on spring, let's start!!!! Rain rain rain, this is all we have.. Got 10 minutes without it today and got 10 pictures!!! But nothing reported new except a lesser black back gull!

Monika said...

At least the day turned up two very neat photos! I too hope spring shows up soon - we're having colder temps here than in February.

Phil said...

It's not easy Warren is it. Can't even get a decent pic at the moment although you managed it with the Brambling today, nice one. Every day is a step closer!

ShySongbird said...

Gorgeous photo of the Brambling Warren! I just looked back in my notes and in 2008 the ones that visited me were first spotted on Feb 19th and last seen on April 22nd, it was great seeing them every day but just think of all those lost photo opportunities as I had no decent camera then :(

I loved the Heron photo too, they always look so out of place in a tree and always make me laugh :)

Still bitterly cold wind here and no sun until after five pm!

Ken. said...

Hi Warren.
I know watch you mean about this grotty weather, mind you, that lovely picture of the Bambling makes up for it.
As for the Heron in the apple tree...that's a new one on me.
Nice photo Warren.

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Fruit Heron - nice one - scary when they are that near base camps fish pond though.
Struggling with start of manflu today

cheers

Dave

Anonymous said...

Quiet for me too Warren. Although it wouldn`t have been, had there been a Brambling at my feeders. You`d have heard me celebrate from there.

Greenie said...

Warren ,
All the last two days has brought is cold hands and a single Bank Vole , up on the Greensand Ridge .

Dave Jordan said...

Hi Warren
Great shot of the Heron.
Dave

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: Love the heron in the tree. We are warming and I saw a American Robin, Red Wing Blackbird and a Boat Tailed Grackle for the first time since Fall.