The early visit to the lakes was more successful today than recent visits, with a pair of MANDARIN DUCKS (46) being found on the main lake, where there was also a CORMORANT (47) fishing, both new species for the December list. As I was watching the MUTE SWANS and COOTS on the ornamental lake, a KINGFISHER (48) whizzed past, I thought it may have left the area after not seeing it since the end of November!
I searched the Scrubby Woods in the hope of seeing a Woodcock, but none were found, however a SPARROWHAWK (49) that flew out was the first this month, plus views of COAL TIT, BULLFINCH, TREECREEPER and GOLDCREST, of which there were at least 3 pairs, were all had.
Crossing the Ashes lane Fields a little later, I saw the male KESTREL up hunting, at one stage it put up 15 MEADOW PIPITS from the grassland there, also my first YELLOWHAMMER (50) of the month flew over, bringing the December species tally to 50 :-)
A cold wind blew across the sheep pasture and paddocks of Migrant Alley, where there was plenty of activity from the common regulars, there were 84 BLACK HEADED GULLS, among them were two COMMON GULLS. At least 250 STARLINGS were also seen and around the same number of ROOKS were also there.
Still far too dark to take the camera out, so my archive images are coming in useful :-)
Rook
2 comments:
The month ticks along nicely. Nice top Rook shot, underrated bird and a nice photographic subject in the right light.
Marc,
There are plenty of Rooks here, but getting near enough for a photo is near impossible :-)
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