This afternoon I got home from work, having walked home in relatively warm conditions, with no cold wind hurrah! As I sat having a quick drink and a sandwich, the sun came out, it remained out for just 30 seconds into my walk, then a big black cloud came over and it rained....grrrrrrr.
I did get this photo of a sign of spring though, a buzz of bees on the crocus' just outside my back door, about a dozen in all.
Off to the woods, and the rain relented as the shower passed over, but the sun never returned. The expected bird species were back, some in song, mainly that of the GOLDCREST which 5 were seen between the Small Holding and Lake area. TREECREEPER also sang, as did COAL TIT, just one MARSH TIT was found, and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER was heard drumming, whilst a GREEN WOODPECKER called loudly, all this mixed with the calls and song of the much commoner species made for a pleasant, more springlike walk.Once again I tried my luck at Migrant Alley, looking for an early spring migrant, which didn't materialise, however a MEADOW PIPIT (59) did flyover, the first seen since January, I can normally bank on this species every month of the new year up until the end of April, the latest sighting recorded was the 23 Apr, in both 2002 and 2007. Well done to http://barry-hunt.blogspot.com/ for predicting this one on yesterdays comments!
Whilst sitting at my horse jump seat, I saw both KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK hunting over the fields, and 3 CORMORANT that flew over towards the lake was a nice sight. A lone HERRING GULL, two BLACK HEADED GULLS and a single LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL (60), which was another new one for the March list, all flew eastwards.
I also noted that the work had begun in the sheep fields for the Hadlow College lambing weekend, most of migrant alley will become one big car park over this weekend.
The only other photo I took today was of the Marsh Tit, this one flew up from one of the pools of water in the wet woods, and sat and preened for a few mimutes.
6 comments:
Hi Warren.
Pictures of Bee's, well a Bee. Is this a sign of things to come? I do hope so.
Nice photo of the Marsh Tit, not a common bird these days.
Have a good weekend Warren.
What 60 already!! They all decided to visit you so that you will beat the record of the month. Things are happening over here too. It is moving a lot at sea, and fulmar have started their ballet now!!! Looks like the birds are back or most of them... Well done on the owl Warren, I've been trying to search for the short-eared owl over here but no success so far but I have a merlin and a gyr falcon turning around the house!!
Monika,
I have only had three Owl species on my patch. The Little Owl is the most Common one, but still only a couple of pairs. Tawny Owls are are much rarer, I only get the odd one passing through, but have had a pair breed before. The third species is the Barn owl, I had one stay on my patch for 6 months, but it moved away to breed elsewhere, the habitat isn't quite good enough for them on my patch. I always live in hope of seeing a short or long eared owl - the only two species left realistically.
Bees already! Things do seem to happen much earlier where you are Warren even though your weather is not too good. Always nice to see the Marsh Tit.
Nice one Warren on adding 3 species to the month`s list. I`m hoping for a returning Mipit or two this weekend and also a Bee, of any sort.
Warren ,
Looks like it'll be a close one between yourself and Dean this month .
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