Sunday 24 November 2013

Just a few brighter intervals punctuated the mainly overcast sky this morning, when my 3 hour patch visit produced a below par 39 species.

Once again, as yesterday, some of the more regular species weren't found today, Pheasant, Long Tailed Tit, Redwing, Skylark and Sparrowhawk being among them. Other species that weren't seen yesterday did turn up today however, a single GREENFINCH over at the Scrubby Woods was one of those, as was the pair of FIELDFARE seen in a large Garden next to the Ashes lane Field, a NUTHATCH in the Wet Woods and a flyover MEADOW PIPIT also get a mention today.

The KINGFISHER was seen again on the Ornamental Lake, as were the MUTE SWANS, although I watched them fly off as I left the area - I wonder if that will be the last of them here ? MALLARDS had increased in number, with 18 being found over the 3 water bodies and 13 CANADA GEESE had joined them, few MOORHEN were seen, just 3 today.

The highlight of the morning for me this morning was finding another new species for the month, a COMMON GULL (65), which was seen on the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley, along with 14 BLACK HEADED GULLS, this November is now just 3 species away from the record November tally of 68, which was achieved in 2010. The most likely addition to the month now would be a flyover Yellowhammer, or maybe a Tawny Owl will be heard during the night, a flyover snipe is also a definite maybe!

The KESTREL pair were both back hunting around the Greenhouse grounds after going missing yesterday, also seen there, feeding on the ground, was a flock of 20 GOLDFINCH and 10 CHAFFINCH along with a pair of BULLFINCH, later in the day I scattered some sunflower hearts at the place where they had all gathered, maybe i'll attract a Brambling in!

That was about the best of it today, this coming weeks visits may be shorter and later in the day, as the builders are back in.

More images from my garden feeders, taken yesterday, all of BLUE TITS, I was trying to capture different postures, there'll be more posted later in the week  :-)
Blue Tits are Common enough birds here
I have up to 13 at the feeders at any one time
I reckon over a hundred must visit during the day
Blue Tit
Blue Tit

2 comments:

Jason K said...

Common Gull! nice one Warren. I have only ever recorded Common Gull 3 times on my patch!

Warren Baker said...

Hi Jase,
They aren't Common at all here either :-)