Monday 5 March 2012

The strong, blustery, cold NW wind made for a difficult visit, add to that the grey skies and spits of rain, it was unsurprising that nothing new was added to the March list. At least I know for sure there will be better days ahead during this month than today!!

A mixed flock of GOLDFINCH, CHAFFINCH, and GREENFINCH, numbering around 40 - 50 strong were observed feeding in the Alpaca enclosure at the Small Holding, they were unsuccessfully scanned through for the first Brambling of the year, if I don't get this winter species within the next few weeks, there is a chance of not getting one at all this year, as they are seldom seen in the pre-christmas winter months, that would knock my chances of reaching my target of 109 patch species for 2012. Anyway, with all these finch's were 7 REDWING, a GOLDCREST, a PIED WAGTAIL and a ROBIN, a little further on and 4 GREEN WOODPECKERS were seen in an adjacent large lawned garden.

That was the most activity I had this afternoon, a flock of SISKIN, maybe 6-8 birds, fed in an Alder tree in the Wet Woods, while at the lakes, the two COOTS were present, with a CORMORANT and 8 CANADA GEESE, 4 MALLARD were seen, all males, suggesting the females may be on eggs nearby ? The adjacent Scrubby Woods had some calling BULLFINCH, but they were barely audible against the sound of the roaring wind.

I had just a 20 minute sky watch at Migrant Alley, ( that's all I could take of that cold wind, at my exposed lookout seat!!) I only noted BLACK HEADED GULLS, and a SPARROWHAWK, but fleeting glimpse of a raptor disappearing behind the tree line, was probably a Peregrine, I didn't get enough of a look at it to confirm, a shame, as it would have joined the months list.

Another, or the same Sparrowhawk plagued the feeders back at home, making for an empty garden most of the time, just BLUE and GREAT TITS came in, and a couple of daring GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, now I know why all the finch's were hiding out over at the nearby Small Holding!!   :-)

8 comments:

Greenie said...

Warren ,
I could see all that dark cloud down your way from Sevenoaks .
Mind you , it followed me home .

Warren Baker said...

Greenie,
.......and I could see much brighter skies to the SW :-)....

Lancs and Lakes Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Crikey no photos!!!

Cheers

Davo

Millhouse Photography said...

4 Green Woodpeckers in a garden! Still, never, seen one!

Anonymous said...

Glorious blue sky up here, Warren. But bloody cold with it ;-)

Pete Woodruff said...

I'm watching for your report of a Stonechat on its way through Kent to the north Warren.

Rohrerbot said...

It's amazing how they'll avoid the feeders when one of those hawks are around!! Sometimes they'll scare the birds away for 2 days!!! My hummers don't care....they're fast:) I understand the cold wind you describe...it makes you a stronger person and builds endurance:) I went up a mountain this weekend and froze my tail off, but I think it was worth it.....but caught a cold for it.:) Okay blogger friend, I hear "lifer bird". What does that mean to you? Does it mean a bird you've waited your whole life to see? OR does it mean a bird you've never spotted in your life in the wild?

ShySongbird said...

I wonder if the people who live in the house where you saw four (!!!) Green Woodpeckers on the lawn realise how lucky they are or are even aware of the birds their garden attracts.

Hope the sun shines for you today, Warren :-)