Sunday 13 November 2011

Here it comes at last....the sun!

It was a bit misty at first though  :-)

For the first time in ages, I had a full patch walk in sunny and calm conditions, and what a difference it makes  :-) The four hour walk was most enjoyable, giving me 47 species in all, a very good total here for November.

The sunshine was having an effect on the birds too, with song from ROBIN, WREN, DUNNOCK, CHAFFINCH and MISTLE THRUSH too, all very pleasant. Early in the walk, I crossed the Pub Field, where the BUZZARD was again feeding, but it was on it's own today, without the Lapwings, however two LAPWING were found on a paddock at Migrant Alley, and whilst crossing the fields there, I had 5 CORMORANT, and a GREY HERON fly over, as well as the BLACKHEADED and HERRING GULLS, once again it was a WOODPIGEON day, with many hundreds seen heading south in various flock sizes.

The College Grounds were quite lively, with GOLDFINCH, CHAFFINCH, BULLFINCH, BLUE and GREAT TIT, GOLDCREST, SISKIN, SONGTHRUSH all seen, plus 6 flyover FIELDFARE, however there were no Greenfinch or Redwing seen, in fact I didn't record these two species all morning. I walked back through Migrant Alley to check the wheat grain I had put out, but nothing was feeding on it, I suspect the area had been disturbed by either dog walkers or the farmer, as a subsequent visit at the end of the walk revealed not only 6 YELLOWHAMMER but a REED BUNTING there too, excellent!

My next place to visit was over to the Lakes, through the Small holding and Wet woods, both KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK were encountered, as were both the GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, a small group of Tits with a Goldcrest were found in the Wet woods. On the lakes today, there was a surprise waiting for me, for with the MALLARD and MOORHEN was a single drake TEAL (60) the first here since February, It's not unusual to find a few in the Wet Woods at this time of year, but with that being bone dry, I suppose they will have to use the lake, I dont often see them here though.

Teal......Not too good a shot, as I had to peer through the trees!

In the Scrubby Woods, I added most of the regular species to be found here, TREECREEPER, and NUTHATCH, being the most notable, but a STOCK DOVE that went over was only my second of the month so far.

A second look through the Tree Nursery was worth it, as I found a troop of LONG TAILED TITS, and seven MEADOW PIPITS, both species gave me a photo shoot  :-)

Meadow Pipit
Meadow Pipit in tree
Long Tailed Tit

Whilst I chased the above about, the Buzzard came over, allowing for a couple of photo's too

Common Buzzard.....Not quite in focus
This shot was a little better
What an excellent Day!!
I'll post a couple more sunrise photo's, .............went a bit mad with the sun and camera today, in fact I spent the whole afternoon photograhing the garden birds, i'll post them during the week though  :-)








11 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Crackin light on the mipit on the wire shot Warren. Some nice sunrises too.

cheers
Davo

Warren Baker said...

Cheers Davo,
Light at last!!

Derek Faulkner said...

Warren, your Yellowhammers seem remarkably camera shy!
I had a great treble on the Swale NNR this morning. Standing in one of the grassy grazing meadows were 5 Short-eared Owls, all tight together shoulder to shoulder. As they dispersed, a Great White Egret flew over them and a hundred yards further on a Lapland Bunting flew over calling - some start to the day!

Millhouse Photography said...

Belting Long tailed Tit shots Warren and a great account of a profitable day.

Marc Heath said...

Very nice shots of the sunrise and a good tally of birds for the day.

Bob Bushell said...

A beautiful series Warren, my favourite is the Long-tailed Tit. But, all them deserve it. I think that the sunrise and the sunset are glorious.

Warren Baker said...

Derek,
I did get a shot of a Yellowhammer, but it's head was behind a twig! They are not very approachable though.

Ornitocampero.blogspot.com.es said...

Very nice lanscapes and bird data.....ahh the woodpecker in the other entry , eating in the feeder, amazing!
Saludos

Anonymous said...

Another one in the bag for this month, Warren.
I`m with Dave regards the Mipit shot.

Alan Pavey said...

Another great set of pics Warren and a good return for your efforts. Still looking for Teal here :-( I can understand why you went mad for the sun it has been hard to find of late.

Sharon said...

Great photos Warren - glad you got the sun :)
Its actually been dry here for the past few days and it is so mild! I'm actually looking forward to the colder weather to get more birds in our garden!
Love the LTT's pics again :)