Wednesday 31 March 2010

Well the end of March arrives, and I just hope the weather for April improves! This weeks walks have been plagued by the rain, but today was the worst!

Constant showers and longer spells of rain were blasted along by a stiff, cool wind this afternoon, and although I braved the elements and walked a circuit of Migrant Alley, I knew I was clutching at straws if I thought I was going to find any migrants - or much else for that matter. In the end all I saw of note was a KESTREL, a PEREGRINE, which was toying with some HERRING GULLS and a flock of around 150 STARLINGS.

The unsatisfactory last few walks of March didn't stop it being the best March yet for the number of bird species recorded (71), beating last years record total by two species. The average number of species seen in March stands at 62.2, so it was a very good total. The combined total for March stands at 83, with three species added this month, the WILLOW WARBLER, the BARNACLE GOOSE, and surprisingly the TAWNY OWL.

As the patch walk was a short one I came home and watched the garden feeders, which are being emptied at an alarming rate - kerching! I took some pics throught he rain splattered window, into the gloom of the garden, so they are a bit blurry!







Above and below : Brambling





Above: GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER ( with GREAT TIT)


Above : CHAFFNCH. Below BLUE TIT

Below HOUSE SPARROW



Above and Below: Mixed flock at the sunflower hearts - GOLDFINCH, GREENFINCH, Great Tit,


Below: Chaffinch, Collared Dove, BLACKBIRD


9 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Nice pics despite your problems Warren and Brambling are never boring! Good luck for tomorrow mate

cheers

Davo

Phil said...

Warren, tomorrow is the start of a brand new month, thank goodness, lets hope we won't all be April fooled by this b****y weather!

Sharon said...

How can we get bored of Bramblings?!
Well done on the final figures for March.

Chris said...

Hi warren,
Congrats for the March record. I went out to the south today to try to see the white winged scoter, but is was not there anymore. I still managed to see a red throated diver and a kittiwake which get the year total to 54! They are forecasting snow tomorrow, it is getting really cold again!!! It looks like we are going through a bad weather just as you do. Let's hope the warmer temps will come soon for both of us!

Anonymous said...

You really do have some nice photos of these birds. I find them interesting because they are so different from those that we have.

FAB said...

Excellent haul for March despite the weather. I have ordered sunshine for you but the request may have fallen on deaf ears!!
Nice series of visitors thro' the window. FAB.

Anonymous said...

Yeh, congrats on the March total Warren.
Let`s just hope the eather improves and good luck for April.

Greenie said...

Warren ,
Well done on your month total , and for managing shots in that awful weather .

Jann said...

Bloody showoff! ARG! ;o} I did see my 2nd mt. bluebird of the season recently but no photos yet...and it's raining today, supposed to turn to snow tonight. BLAH! Ok, yes I am STILL jealous!