Monday 27 September 2010

Above is the 'Main lake' next to the scrub area, its quite small and desperately needs some work doing on it !

This afternoon I paid a visit to the above lake and scrub area, just in case something rare had dropped in, maybe a Coot or Tufted Duck :-) , but no such luck today, just 4 MALLARD and two MOORHEN were on it. The smaller, more ornamental lake next to it however, had a KINGFISHER on it, which alighted on a branch just 10m from me, I zoomed right in on it and pressed the shutter, nothing! I had inadvertently knocked the switch and turned off the camera at some stage, by the time I had turned the camera on and re aligned, the Kingfisher had gone , BLAST IT !!!!!!!

A quick look around the Scrub wasn't too exciting, but some of the species not seen yesterday were easily viewable, including BULLFINCH, COAL TIT, TREECREEPER and LONG TAILED TIT. A CHIFFCHAFF was also seen, the only one today.

I had a brief look around the paddocks and pasture at Migrant Alley, where MEADOW PIPITS, PIED WAGTAILS and LINNETS were seen, along with the many ROOKS and JACKDAWS, a STARLING flock of at least 250 birds was flushed up by a SPARROWHAWK. Over at the Tall Hedge bordering the Greenhouse Complex 2 YELLOWHAMMERS were seen, probably the same female and her offspring that I have been seeing for a few weeks now.

A Skywatch produced just 2 HERRING GULL, a KESTREL, a few local SWALLOWS and just 4 HOUSE MARTIN, as well as 4 SKYLARK that dropped into the pasture, giving that lovely trilling flight song.

The photo below is of one of the Yellowhammers in the Tall hedge, it was too dark really, but I tried :-)

Later on this afternoon I saw 2 Goldcrest in the garden, I managed this effort below.
As I was waiting for the Goldcrest to come into view, this female BLACKCAP dropped in - a very nice surprise, this may be the last one I see for some time now.

6 comments:

Kelly said...

...I hate when things like that happen--especially with a Kingfisher so close. That doesn't happen every day! The first photo is beautiful. It almost looks black and white and the background really sets it off. Love that little Goldcrest and the Yellowhammer is such a pretty shade of yellow.

Jason K said...

Nice female Blackcap Warren. You never know it may latch onto a tit flock and overwinter.

ShySongbird said...

I didn't have a chance to catch up with you at all over the weekend :( but have enjoyed doing so now. Very well done on yesterday's Snipe!

What a huge disappointment for you with the Kingfisher, I know how I would have felt! However the Goldcrests in the garden were a lovely reward, especially to get a photo. With the Blackcap as well you must have been well pleased. I never see Goldcrests in my garden and only see Blackcaps in the Winter. Mind you it feels like Winter here :(

Phil said...

I really expected you to find a Redwing today Warren. Never mind, won't be long i'm sure.
I arrived at New Hythe with a puncture and spent all morning sorting that out. Grrrrrrrrrr!

Anonymous said...

Ouch!! on missing the Kingfisher, Warren.
Truly was a miserable weather day, so you did well to get any photos at all.

Greenie said...

Warren ,
Wish I hd a pound for every moment I've had like your Kingfisher one .
Redwing reported near Herne Bay .