Saturday 29 December 2012

A short window of drier, but very windy conditions prevailed this morning, which allowed me to get round for a full patch walk. There was much excitement almost straight from the off, when the 13th species for the morning turned out to be a fantastic JACK SNIPE (108, 68) which I almost trod on as I waded my way across the Tree Nursery, this is only the second record of this species on my patch, I now need just one more new species for the year and I will have reached my 2012 target  :-)

The lakes had some interest today as well, 34 MALLARD were still dabbling about on the water, and yesterdays COOT also remained, two GREYLAG GEESE were the first seen on the water this month, and a KINGFISHER zipped low across a very choppy main lake. Whilst noting down the usual species that are to be found around the lakes and the adjacent scrubby Woods, I heard the calls of Geese coming nearer, these turned out to be 3 CANADA GEESE plus my old friend the feral BARNACLE GOOSE (69), well it turned up eventually to join the December list  :-)

Other lesser, but just as enjoyable highlights for the 3 hour walk, involved sightings from the KESTREL pair at the Greenhouse Grounds, a SPARROWHAWK hunting successfully at the College Grounds, and flyovers from a trio of CORMORANTS, plus a YELLOWHAMMER, a few SISKIN and three Gull species, those being LESSER BLACK BACKED, BLACK HEADED and HERRING GULL.

The winter thrushes seem to have moved on, the decent numbers of FIELDFARE on the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley have dwindled to just 8, with no Redwings seen at all. Overall today, there were few birds to be found, but a good count of 44 species was recorded  :-)

Nothing for the Camera today, and the only photo left in my 'Blog Folder' is of the GREEN WOODPECKER, so at the risk of boring you i'll post it up anyway!
Green Woodpecker - again  !


10 comments:

Lancs and Lakes Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Two days left Warren - will you get that next bird? What you reckon your chances are and which species are in the frame to turn up?
Great stuff with the Jack Snipe.

Cheers

Davo

Warren Baker said...

Hi Davo,
It will be tough to find, that one species, I suppose a Firecrest might turn up, or less exotic an Egyptian Goose may flyover, an outside bet could be a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker :-)

Greenie said...

Warren ,
Teetering on the brink now , good luck . Well done with Jack .
Saw nothing hedgelaying today , not surprising given the wind .

Marc Heath said...

What a great bird to get Warren and in true nearly standing on it style. Well done.

ShySongbird said...

Well done on the Jack Snipe Warren! No, I won't tire of seeing such a great garden visitor as your GW :-)

Anonymous said...

Yeah...well done with the Jack Snipe mate.

Adam said...

great shot of the green woodpecker

Unknown said...

J.S.Where's the photo evidence? It's not a ploy to keep your fans interested!!!Did you spot it from your inflatable??
Happy and sensational new year.Hope you get the final species before 23.59 tomorrow
All the best
Grant

Jason K said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jason K said...

Patch Jack Snipe (drools!) ...never recorded one at Shenstone mate...nice one!

Just rewards for all those uneventful visits youve had lately me thinks