Saturday 15 October 2011

Just before sun up

What a glorious Autumnal day today, unbroken sunshine from dawn till dusk, a bit chilly to start with though, with the first frost of the Autumn covering the grass.

The four hour visit from 06:30, produced a total of 47 species, which is a good tally for an October day, this included two CHIFFCHAFF, both of which were in song, one was in the Greenhouse Complex Grounds the other in the Lakeside scrub, but they were the only summer species recorded today.

Early on, just as the sun rose, I watched and listened for anything flying over Migrant Alley, this was quite productive today, as REDWING, FIELDFARE, SISKIN, SKYLARK, MEADOW PIPIT, LAPWING and two skeins of GREYLAG GEESE were all recorded, while a LITTLE OWL called from over at the Greenhouse Copse.

Three raptor species were seen, a KESTREL hunted over the Tree Nursery, a pair of SPARROWHAWKS hunted just about everywhere! The third raptor species was BUZZARD two of which were still associating with the Wet Woods.

COAL TIT, NUTHATCH, BULLFINCH, and GOLDCREST,  were notable species recorded over at the Lake and Scrubby Woods area, where also of note was watching a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER excavate a hole in a dead Silver Birch tree, no doubt to roost in.

There were no new species recorded for the month, which remains on 64, the joint 4th best October tally.

Singing Chiffchaff at the Greenhouse Grounds





As the light was so good today I took also some garden bird pics  :-)


GOLDFINCH


Nuthatch


CHAFFINCH


Coal Tit



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hopefully the 2nd half of the month will bring a few additions to your list, Warren.

Cracking Nuthatch.

Warren Baker said...

Thought you'd like the Nuthatch Dean :-)

Alan Pavey said...

Great set of pics again Warren and 47 species is a good haul!!

Bob Bushell said...

Brilliant photos like the Nuthatch and Chaffinch. It was a day that gave us cloudy, unlike yours.

Warren Baker said...

Cheers Alan, had a Cormorant for 48 later on :-)

Ornitocampero.blogspot.com.es said...

Nice birwatching and clear photos..and like the last
time how lucky of seeing the sparrowhawck!
Bye:-)

Fylde Amphibian & Reptile Group said...

Jeepers Warren - the 'F' word!!! Still 11C at 07.00 this morning, lovin that Gulf Stream

Could be some good stuff comin your way, how'ja like a wryneck?

Cheers
Davo's alter-ego

Marc Heath said...

A very nice Nuthatch shot, looks like it was quite close.

Kelly said...

...glad you had a beautiful sunny day! You were able to take some lovely photos too. I love the pose you captured on the nuthatch!! So crisp too...

- Yvonaut -
Das sind Raphael und Yvonne
said...

Hi,
beautiful bird and nature pictures on your blog.
First time on this site but i will definitely have a look again!
Greetings from Switzerland
Yvonne and Raphael