Tuesday 7 February 2012

A cold NE wind blew this afternoon, making it feel a lot chillier than yesterday. An overnight frost had meant there would be no thaw on the lakes, so I again went over to the Greenhouse Grounds and Migrant Alley, but unfortunately for me today, there was a student work crew mending the fence along the drainage ditch, you can imagine the noise! There was nothing of note about, apart from two SONGTHRUSHES in the Greenhouse Grounds.

I had no choice now but to visit the lakes, so I set off across the Tree Nursery, seeing 4 MEADOW PIPITS, a GREEN WOODPECKER, and more unexpectedly for here, 2 LAPWING.
Lapwing
Lapwing
When I arrived at the lakes they were, as expected, frozen from bank to bank, apart from one lake that had a small piece of open water, where both the COOT were seen, and a MOORHEN. A look around the surrounding Scrubby Woods, wasn't particularly fruitful, but the regular sightings of BULLFINCH, GOLDCREST, LONG TAILED TIT, a singing TREECREEPER, a NUTHATCH making all sorts of whistles and calls, and a small flock of SISKIN made for some interest.

I walked back home the way of the Small Holding, via Wet Woods, here too all was frozen, I spent a bit of time in the woods, on the lookout for a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, or maybe a Brambling, but I was unlikely to find either, and didn't! The Small Holding had the usual mixed finch flock of GOLD, GREEN and CHAFFINCH, not much else though, but I did watch a CARRION CROW on a large snow covered garden lawn, it was obviously looking for something, it walked purposely over to a spot, flicked up the snow a found a lump of bread, I wonder if he stashed it there or he watched another crow hide it there  :-)
Clever Crow  ?
Not much to ''Crow'' about for this afternoons walk then, not adding any new species to the year or month, but a late afternoon look over my Garden Feeders provided me with good views of the male Bullfinch again, which I just missed with the camera, however the visiting Songthrush, which is just as scarce in my garden, did pose for some pics, it was lit by some lovely soft light that was reflecting from the windows of my house, otherwise the bird was in shadow.  :-)
Songthrush
Songthrush
Songthrush

12 comments:

Millhouse Photography said...

I'm so jealous of your Green Woodpeckers Warren!

Warren Baker said...

Christian,
Green Woodpeckers are common here, I dont often go out without seeing them. Rather have one of your Owls though :-)

ShySongbird said...

Such lovely photos of the Song Thrush, Warren, one of my favourites and definitely my favourite songster. It always cheers me with its rather comical song.

Rohrerbot said...

We'd all rather have some of all of our birds in each other's region:) Show me owls, woodpeckers...it doesn't matter!!!:) Warren, I don't want to sound nuts but do you ever get so excited about finding a bird that you can't sleep at night? I hate having to work when I could be investigating an area out. I am really lucky to live in a strong birding community and on our server here several Great Horned Owls were reported. I want to leave right after work to investigate, but I don't know how much sun I'll have to work with....I have a post coming up with our 3 main woodpeckers here in Tucson. Somedays and photo shoots are like that.....the day I went to film something, I got something else. It was woodpecker day for me on a hike! Betting viewing tomorrow:)

Warren Baker said...

Rohrerbot,
I know what you mean about hating being at work while there are birds to be found :-)

I threw in my full time job, and took up a part time one just so I could get out more :-)

Warren Baker said...

Hi Songbird,
Todays Songthrush photo's are probably the best ive taken :-) They are terrific Songsters, especially when you here them on a warm May evening :-)

biker-bri said...

fantastic shots of the song thrush I must get some feeders for my garden!

Marc Heath said...

Nice Song Thrush shots Warren, a great bird to catch on film.

Bob Bushell said...

The Song Thrush is, beyond doubt, the best, although the others are beautiful.

Simon said...

Nice to get a Lapwing! They're building up on the fields in North Kent now.

Anonymous said...

I agree, great set of shots, Warren.

Alan Pavey said...

Really like the Song Thrush pics Warren, excellent.