It looked like another damp and dull walk this morning, as first thing the wind blew drizzle into my face, but by 09:30 the cloud began to break, and some very welcome sunshine was had, it only lasted for a couple of hours, but welcome none-the-less!
The sunshine brought out a few more bird species than have been seen of late, with 41 being recorded, this included a couple of small REDWING gatherings, one in the large garden adjacent to the lakes, the other in the College Grounds, where it was quite busy today birdwise. A well berried Rowan tree had 4 BULLFINCH feeding in it, and one of the small ponds had a KINGFISHER perched in the bankside vegetation, also a flock of 8 LONG TAILED TITS, with two GOLDCRESTS moved through the gardens, and a group of 5 SISKINS fed in a clump of Alders.
A single LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL flew over Migrant Alley, as did a group of 8 HERRING GULL, whilst on the pasture 94 BLACK HEADED GULLS were feeding, a good count here. Three SKYLARK were also out on the pasture, not seen any of these on my patch for a few days now, only one each of YELLOWHAMMER and MEADOW PIPIT flew over. Two raptor species were encountered today, a KESTREL hunting over the Greenhouse Complex and a BUZZARD that flew low over the NW patch boundary.
Most of the regular woodland species were located as I walked through the Small Holding, Wet Woods, and Scrubby Woods, including the likes of NUTHATCH, GREEN WOODPECKER, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, JAY, more Bullfinch's and a singing STOCK DOVE. The lakes were once again home to a few MALLARD and MOORHEN, nothing more exciting :-(
A subsequent afternoon visit was made today, with a friend, where we manged to add a FIELDFARE to the days list, yes just one!! Also the first few LINNETS were seen coming into roost at the Tree Nursery, making the day total up to 43, which is bang on the average for a December day :-)
8 comments:
Nowt wrong with bang on average Warren. You still putting the wheat down for the yellow buntings?
Distinct lack of passerines up here today
Hi Dave,
I ran out of the wheat some weeks ago, and at 18 quid a bag it was just a one off treat for them! :-)
These days are getting depressing now, or should i say challenging. Only a few days to go until I rise out of bed early like a school child to start it all over again. The only problem is where do I go, Stour Valley or Reculver, its doing my head in.
You'll soon be counting all those birds as new for the year Warren :-)
I'm really curious about the weight of a bag of wheat for 18 quid.
Whatever....that's dedication to our wildlife and some food for the birds Warren.
Just one Fieldfare Warren? I'm falling over them up here mate ;-)
Warren ,
Thinking about your lack of Winter Thrushes , it occurs to me that those around here , and they are much fewer than other years , only seem interested in Holly berries at the moment , and there are still lots of them about . So it could be a case of no Holly berries - no Winter Thrushes .
No doubt they will come into gardens for the other berries eventually , but they have no need at the moment .
Of interest , saw blossom on an Almond tree this morning .
Marc,
you were right with depressing :-)
Pete,
18 quid buys a 25kg sack :-)
Greenie,
Later in the winter (late Jan - Feb) the Fieldfare and Redwing tend to move onto the paddocks and sheep pasture I find.
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