Thursday 4 April 2013

A short patch visit was made this morning, but it was again obvious that the chance of finding any spring Migrants was next to zero.  The strong and biting NE wind was stronger than yesterday, and short sharp showers of hail and sleet made for a very unpleasant hours walk.

I noted 250 STARLINGS at Migrant Alley, their dark massed ranks looking like an oil slick on the green sheep pasture, with them were about 100 FIELDFARE, which in turn had a few REDWING spread amongst them. BLACK HEADED GULLS numbered 40-50 and I noted a COMMON GULL with them, but it was too cold to scan them all for a Med Gull!

I checked the Pub Field, which has now been ploughed, here I saw another 100 or so Fieldfare, and a smattering of Redwings, also 5 STOCK DOVES. A MEADOW PIPIT battled its way north, fighting against the bitter wind, then the inevitable SPARROWHAWK came whizzing over, putting all the winter thrushes up!

Walking home, I passed through the Tree Nursery, a KESTREL was hunting here and a BUZZARD was sighted low over the Wet Woods, but nothing else was about.

More poor weather expected tomorrow, so it will be another disappointing spring day. There is light at the end of the tunnel though, by the weekend this NE wind will go round to the SW, and it will feel more springlike, that will be cloud and rain then!

Most of the afternoon was a write off due to the frequent and heavy snow showers that blew through
What chance have I got in this!!
What chance has anything got in this!!



9 comments:

ShySongbird said...

I'm thoroughly fed up with it Warren. I should think any prospective migrants have turned back in disgust! We have had really strong and bitingly cold winds here today and mostly dull with some snow flurries. As you say, if they are right and it turns milder next week I expect it will bring rain with it...you can't win!

Anonymous said...

Looks like we might have to wait till the middle of next week to see some improvement on the temperature. This weather is totally pants !!!

Pete Woodruff said...

Weather v Migrants....If this hasn't yet reached 'serious' yet it sure is well on it's way to being.

Stephen Mills said...

This weather is getting a bit much now! Hopefully the summer migrants will come piling in when the weather changes.

Warren Baker said...

Hi Guys,
I'm staying in bed tomorrow - see you next week :-)

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

"but it was too cold to scan them all for a Med Gull!"
Blimey - Musta been Antarctic out there!!!!!!

Cheers

DaveyMan

Marc Heath said...

I just hope this nightmare ends soon.

Tim James said...

Hi Warren. It does seem to have been the winter that will not end, doesn't it? – Tim

Alan Pavey said...

I've been away, where it's been 80-90 degrees, this was a bit of a shock to come back to!! No singing Chiffys, unheard of!