Friday 5 March 2010

The first Gulls of the month were seen this morning as I walked to work across Migrant Alley, the first, surprisingly, was a COMMON GULL (49), then followed by 13 BLACK HEADED GULLS (50). A GOLDCREST was seen well in the college grounds, and I stopped to listen to its song - almost made me late for work!

This afternoon I spent around 90 minutes, meandering my way around the Wet Woods, and Lake area, but it was very quiet despite the bright sunny conditions. I was however, happy to find the COOT on the lake for its twelth day now, I don't know where it was hiding yesterday! Also on the lake were 5 MALLARD, 5 MOORHEN, and 6 CANADA GEESE, a little later a CORMORANT dropped in.

Species in the Wet Woods and lakeside scrub, included most of the expected; TREECREEPER, COAL TIT, NUTHATCH, Goldcrest, LONG TAILED TIT and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS. A few small groups of REDWING have taken to feeding on the woodland floor, forsaking the fields and paddocks, always something they do a few weeks before leaving my patch.

My walk ended the way the day started really, - with another Gull species for the months list, two HERRING GULLS (51) flew over lazily, heading west.

Tomorrow i'll be out early for the first full patch walk of March, and who knows maybe i'll find an early summer visitor, which would most likely be a Chiffchaff. Checking my records, the average first arrival date for Chiffchaff on my patch is the 16th march, with the earliest on the 11th, so it will probably be next weekend that they will turn up - fingers crossed!

Despite the nice light today, I didn't get any birds posing for the camera out in the woods. So took a few common garden bird photo's in the fading eening sunshine.

Above: ROBIN
Above and Below: GOLDFINCH'S

Lastly a Female BLACKBIRD





9 comments:

Chris said...

51 one, not bad mate!!! Here the lesser black-backed gull and the great skua arrived yesterday, just a matter of time to add two more species to the list of the year, but man, the weather is awful... it is raining and the sky is dark-grey again!
beautiful pictures you got again around your feeders. You have a huge community over there :-)

Greenie said...

Warren ,
I agree with Chris , great shots .
You must be well pleased with your purchases .
If we don't go back into the cold weather again , should expect to find Adders from now on , and Grass Snakes towards the end of the month .
Having said that , you'll probably find one tomorrow .

Warren Baker said...

Thanks Chris & Greenie,

Greenie I'll be on the lookout for Snakes from tomorrow then!

Phil said...

You're right Warren, if they don't want to pose they won't, that's when you have to tempt them with a free lunch. Thanks for the tip on my blog re LBB & GBB Gulls, much appreciated.

Pete Woodruff said...

Its good to be on the lookout for your first summer visitors Warren and I'm delighted to tell you of my first returning Stonechat 'from the south' today at the very location I had gone to in the hope of such a sighting....right place right time.

Enjoy your blog Warren.

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

51 - FIFTY ONE for March already - only had 57 on my patch(es)all year!!! Keep it up - still need news of the Lesser Pecker before the leaves arrive, if your neighbours leave any dead wood that is - pillards!!!!!

Cheers

Davo

FAB said...

No chance of any warm southerly winds yet Warren. Have a good weekend. FAB.

Anonymous said...

The same number as me Warren. No doubt you`ll overtake me, now that the weekend is here. Good luck.

PS : it`s drizzling up here this morn.

ShySongbird said...

Your new camera is doing a fine job Warren as is the man behind it :) I particularly liked the Robin and the Blackbird.

Hope the full patch walk goes well!