The decent weather doesn't always mean a good birding day though, and today proved that well enough, incredibly only 38 species were recorded in the 3 and a half hours I was out. Some of that can be put down to the disturbance from dog walkers, who all wanted to get out early in the sun, but they couldn't be held responsible for the lack of birds in the sky, the only species seen flying over were small groups of HERRING GULLS, and two CORMORANTS. Some decent sized flocks of winter thrushes were moving to and from my patch, the biggest FIELDFARE flock was of 61, and the biggest REDWING flock was of 38, but none stayed on the paddocks and pasture at Migrant Alley, perhaps they didn't like to associate with the 100 or so BLACK HEADED GULLS that were there already, along with 50 ROOKS and 23 JACKDAWS.
Highlights from the wet Woods and lakes area were limited to just a few SISKIN feeding in alder trees, two BULLFINCH in sycamore, and the finding of a mixed flock of woodland species, all the regulars being involved GREAT TIT, BLUE TIT, COAL TIT, LONG TAILED TIT, TREECREEPER, NUTHATCH, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, and GOLDCREST, there was no sign of the lone Marsh tit that overwinters here though, hope it's ok :-)
It was a kick in the b*lls to find the lake had frozen over again!!! Nothing on or around it, but at least the ice was thinner than the last time it froze.
In all it was a disappointing visit, but I enjoyed the sunshine anyway, there was nothing to add to the months list, which remains on 58, ten behind the best January total, but there's plenty of time yet to add to the month.
Very little posed for the camera, which was frustrating given the good light today, but I did snap this Black Headed Gull as it swooped over my head, I think the blue sky is more pleasing than the image of the gull :-)
I also got a long distance snap of a lovely male Bullfinch, which always look good on a clear frosty morning.
12 comments:
There's me thinking 58 is a brilliant total for the end of Jan, and then you go and say you've had 10 more than that in the past...BLIMEY, what a start to the year that was?!!! :-)
Beautiful photos as always.
Nice Bullfinch shot, a scarce species at Reculver. A good total made as well.
Simon,
Its all relative, I make more visits than you :-)
Squirrel,
Thanks for visiting again :-)
Cheers marc,
Not quite up to your standards though ! :-)
I get so frustrated sometimes with people and their dogs or loud talking....especially when you're in the middle of an intense observation that you had to wait forever to see....then all of sudden, chatty loud people come along and the bird flies off!
Warren ,
Couldn't agree more for cold and sunny . Mind you that frost never shifted in the shade .
That ice on the lake could be even thicker after tonight .
Smart Bullfinch shot nice capture.
You took a picture of the Bullfinch, it's hard to get one.
I like a good 'bash of the patch', you can't go home feeling you might of missed something!
It`s those damn westerlies that are responsible for the lack of flyovers Warren.
How many Bullfinch have you got on your patch Warren? They are a real scarcity on mine
Jason,
There are 4-5 breeding pairs of Bullfinch on my patch, the best winter flocks number around a dozen.
Post a Comment