Sunday 18 September 2011

I awoke this morning with a burning throat and thumping headache, yes the first cold virus of the Autumn has got me  :-(

I gave myself an extra hour in bed, ( like that would cure me!) before setting off out, but I got as far as a circuit of Migrant Alley when my weak will caved in, and I opted for a sit down on my sky watching seat for a couple of sneezy hours  :-)

I saw another WHEATEAR though, in one of the paddocks, and moving through the Greenhouse Complex Grounds on the way to my seat I saw two WHITETHROATS, this is the latest date I have recorded for this species. Also here, was a BLACKCAP and two CHIFFCHAFFS.

My two hour vigil on my seat was quite good really, ending with a total of 41 species, there will be full patch walks this winter that wont get that many! Highlights, were the passage of hundreds of HOUSE MARTINS, amongst which I picked out a SAND MARTIN. Four Raptor species were seen BUZZARD, SPARROWHAWK, PEREGRINE and KESTREL, whilst out in the sheep pasture at least 6 MEADOW PIPITS and a dozen SKYLARKS were to-ing and fro-ing.

Other flyovers included GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 2 GREY HERONS and more of a surprise, the sound of SISKINS going over. The HERRING GULLS, BLACK HEADED GULLS and a single LESSER BLACK BACK GULL rounded off the skywatch, and as I left for home a LITTLE OWL called from the Greenhouse Copse, and two BULLFINCH'S flew from Greenhouse Grounds.

Not too bad a visit considering .

The Sparrowhawk below was in the tree at the end of my garden, looking for an easy lunch. The STARLING and ROBIN were along Ashes Lane.

Sparrowhawk


Starling

Robin

9 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Hope the nasty bug doesn't last too long.
Great pics - how'ja get em to go big like that - I tried and they spread too far out of the margin and into the text in the right hand border?

Cheers

Davo

Marc Heath said...

The contrast with the blue sky and Robin are very nice. Like those Sparrowhawk piercing eyes.

Warren Baker said...

Dave, click on design, then the 'customize' button, which is under the box with ''live on blog'' written above it. Then look on the top left of the new page for a list of options. ''Adjust Widths'' is the one you want; click on that, and your away :-)

Warren Baker said...

Thanks Marc,
It was nice morning - shame I felt crap!!!

Rohrerbot said...

Hopefully you'll lose the bug soon. I always get mine in March or April when the wind pics up! Nasty stuff that wind can carry.

Anonymous said...

Hope you feel better soon, Warren.

Jason K said...

Nice shots Warren...love the close up of the Sprawk mate

Alan Pavey said...

Really like the Sparrowhawk, the other two pics are not too shabby either11 :-) Hope the bug bug...s off!!

Marianne said...

That Sprawk pic has some serious atmosphere - love it! Hope you shake off the lergie quickly.