Another full patch walk this morning was much the same as yesterday, and that included this run of of unusually hot and settled weather, i'll enjoy it while it lasts though, we always have to pay for it later in the year :-)
The changes from yesterday morning were few, a new WHITETHROAT had arrived in the Tree Nursery, and was indulging in a singing competition with the original bird there. The CUCKOO was back on form, it called for most of the morning, over at the Scrubby Wood, and I had some distant views of it, plus today I did hear one of the COOTS, it was coming from the reeds, so maybe some activity at the nest ? The MANDARIN DUCK was again on the main lake, a distant photo was taken, and the two CANADA GEESE nests were being occupied, should be some young anyday now. I checked the SONGTHRUSH nest in the Scrubby Wood, and the two young looked healthy, they should fledge at the end of next week, maybe Wednesday, so fingers crossed for them.
Although 48 species were found, Long Tailed Tit evaded me today, as did the Turtle Doves , and few species flew over whilst I was out, just HERRING GULL, GREY HERON, and BUZZARD, plus the KESTREL which came and went.
I still await the first Swift and Garden warbler, the only migrants left to arrive that I have a chance of finding in April, but I might just have to wait until May for them.
Photo's today were all distant efforts, except this female BLACKBIRD, but that was constantly preening after it had been washing in a puddle made by a leaking hosepipe, and wouldn't keep still!
Below is the male Mandarin Duck, they always stay at some distance.
Below id the Whitehtroat that has made its territory in the Greenhouse Complex grounds
Lastly this Peackock Butterfly, I also recorded Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Small White, and Small Tortoiseshell
11 comments:
Nothing for my bird year list today either, Warren. But then again, i was off patch for most of it.
Dare I say we need a change in the weather Dean !!! :-)
I had a lazy day as well by monitoring the garden nesters and watching the flutters zip through. A suggestion of Easterlies in early May might throw something your way.
I'm curious how you know that a Whitethroat today was a new arrival - how did it look different to a previous one?
When I see a Whitethroat singing today, I assume its the same one I saw yesterday.
Trying not to sound too negative but....this spell of good weather could be our summer Warren.
I wonder if the Whitethroats will pair up or maybe they are both male if they were having a singing contest.
Still no Cuckoo here :(
Glad you heard some Coot activity today Warren :)
Even at a distance, I would love to get the picture of Mandarin duck you got Warren. I've seen it only once and I did not quite get the picture I wanted...
you were luckier than me on your butterflies, we saw the one in my picture and a handfull of orange tips.
Warren ,
Those Mandarins are as wily as Corvids .
Inter in the local park seems best , when they are hungry .
Derek,
I have so few summer migrants on my patch,( Chiffchaff and Blackcap excepted) that I know each territory. There has been only one singing in the Tree Nursery, this morning there were two, the other 3 on my pacth were in there usual places :-)
Amazing!
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