Sunday 22 January 2012

The morning flattered to deceive, early sun gave way to mostly cloudy conditions, with a strong, cool westerly wind, making it difficult to hear any small passerines. By the end of the 3 hour full patch walk, just 40 species had been recorded, 3 or 4 down on what I would expect, the missing species being the likes of Skylark, Pheasant, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, plus the Fieldfares and Redwings, which have never been so scarce on my patch!

The highlights this morning were much the same as yesterday, the LITTLE GREBE was seen briefly, before doing its vanishing act, and the COOT remains into its twelfth day, the only other lake dwellers today were half a dozen MALLARD and 4 MOORHEN.

Early on in the walk, I heard the sound of approaching geese, which turned out to be CANADA GEESE, two flew over, then a few seconds later the paired couple, BARNACLE and Canada goose followed. Not much in the way of 'winter' species were noted this morning, just a small gathering of SISKIN along the College stream.

The mixed feeding flock of LONG TAILED, BLUE, and  GREAT TITS again roamed the Wet Woods, with two GOLDCRESTS and two TREECREEPERS, I hung about for some time watching the tree tops for a possible Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but it wasn't to be, I think it will be a long time before I record one of these again, to think they used to breed here  :-(

So the weekend visits end without any additions to the Monthly / year list, and with just two more full patch walks to go this month, it looks like the record January species total of 68 total will be safe.

This afternoon, the cloud broke occasionally, allowing for some mixed fortunes with the camera at my garden feeders. I'll put a few shots up, and save the rest for tomorrows post  :-) The first two species were additions to this mornings list  :-)

COAL TIT
NUTHATCH
Nuthatch
GOLDFINCH


9 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Shame about the LSWs Warren - any theories as to the reason(s) behind their demise in your neck of the (wet) woods?

Cheers

Davo

Warren Baker said...

Hi Davo,
I reckon its the same old players that have done for the LS Woodpeckers. That is habitat loss ( for them and there food sources) Disturbance at nesting time, and lack of suitable nesting sites :-(

Marc Heath said...

Very nice Nuthatch shots, how lucky you are to have these in your garden, its just not fair!!!!

Chris said...

The nuthatch pictures are superb Warren. It was the same over here, got some sun but the time to get the car ready (it was totally covered with ice), it was gone ;-)

ShySongbird said...

Hi Warren, I read somewhere that Lesser Spots have declined dramatically and in some areas almost to the point of extinction :-( I think mine must be one of them!

Gorgeous photos from your feeders, I long for a Nuthatch in the garden.

Warren have you realised your post isn't showing on people's sidebars for a very long time after the time it says you have posted it. I thought it was just mine but I have noticed the same on others. People who seem to have posted long after you show up much sooner.

Anonymous said...

Smart Nuthatch pics, Warren. Grrrrr ;-)

Alan Pavey said...

Really like the Coal Tit Warren, I'm sure there is a couple additions to the month still to come :-)

Mark said...

I don't recalll noting a Fieldfare or Redwing all weekend either, not the best of birding weather when it blows

Warren Baker said...

Hi Songbird,
It must be another of the ''blog bugs' :-) Its nothing ive done !