Friday 20 April 2012

Heavy showers this afternoon, although fewer than of late, still disrupted my afternoon walk, of which I was late in setting off due to being caught in the first shower of the day that coincided with my walk home from work. I was drenched by the time I got home - bloody annoying as I had spent all morning at work looking out at the sunshine  Grrrrrrrr........

The hour I did spend out this afternoon, wasn't particularly productive, I only got as far as the Tree Nursery and Greenhouse Grounds, before the sky turned black announcing the arrival of another heavy shower, I spent most of the time chasing LONG TAILED TITS and GOLDCRESTS for a photo, the latter of which did oblige eventually.

The day wasn't a total loss however, as the walk into work early this morning, in all that lovely sunshine, was enlivened by the sighting of the first COMMON WHITETHROAT (85, 65) of the spring, it was seen in a thicket of bramble adjacent to the College Stables, nearby on the large manure heap, both a PIED and GREY WAGTAIL were feeding.

The Whitethroats arrival this year is much later than that of last years, when the first was seen on the 8th April, that was the earliest ever arrival of this species though. The 11 year median average arrival date for Whitethroat on my patch is the 19th April, so they are on time this year  :-)

Lets hope the morning starts off like today did for tomorrows full patch walk, and hope for some more spring arrivals to report. Until then here's the Goldcrest photo's I took this afternoon, i'll put them all up, as I couldn't decide which was the better of the four, I liked them all!
Goldcrest
Goldcrest
Goldcrest
Goldcrest

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

There`s been a few Whitethroats up here, Warren. But none for me yet.

Cracking set of Goldcrest shots.

FAB said...

Similar conditions here Warren ... went out in sunshine and got hammered by rain AND hail! Whitethroat also seen and 3 Nightingales heard but regretfully not on my patch.
Super pics of the flighty Goldcrest.

Marc Heath said...

Lovely shots Warren, the quality is very detailed.

Warren Baker said...

Hello Dean mate,
Reckon you'll get the whitethroat tomorrow :-)

Warren Baker said...

Hi Frank,
As ever our weather lurches from one extreme to the other, keeps us all talking though :-)

Warren Baker said...

Thanks Marc,
Had just minutes before the cloud took the light away for these shots, but I was pleased with the outcome :-)

ShySongbird said...

Well done with the Whitethroat Warren and also the lovely photos of the Goldcrest.

We had showers most of the day, no sun until about 5.30pm. It doesn't look like the next few days will be much better. I hope it will be where you are!

Warren Baker said...

Hi Songbird,
Thanks :-)

I just hope the showers take their time arriving tomorrow :-)

Pete Woodruff said...

The Goldcrest images are commendable Warren.

Alan Pavey said...

Great Goldcrest series and I added Whitethroat today too :-)

Mike H said...

Great crest shots Warren, I think the second one just edges it!

Rohrerbot said...

The Goldcrest is nice. Love your shots. No birding until tomorrow afternoon...have to clean up our property in the morning:( Hope you have better luck!

Millhouse Photography said...

Very well done on the Goldcrest, indeed Warren. I agree, post em all - they're lovely.