Wednesday 17 December 2014

This morning was cloudy, with bits and pieces of rain about, but there was also a few brighter spells late on during my 3 patch hour visit.

A few of the species not seen on yesterdays full patch walk turned up this morning, flyovers from a single SKYLARK, single YELLOWHAMMER, a group of 4 CORMORANTS, and a mixed flock of around 8 REDWING and 14 FIELDFARE would have bolstered yesterdays list, as would have the COAL TITS that were seen with a flock of around 8 LONG TAILED TITS, that were in the Scrubby Woods. It was as I watched the mixed feeding flock that I heard them all break into an alarm call, I looked up and about, but couldn't see any danger for them, but then within a few seconds a SPARROWHAWK flew through, how on earth did they know that was coming!

Over on the lakes a bit of a change was seeing 2 female GOOSANDER on the main lake, whilst the ornamental lake was hosting the usual COOT pair, MALLARDS and MOORHENS, but only the immature MUTE SWAN was present with them today.

8 MEADOW PIPITS were at the Greenhouse Grounds, making occasional forays out onto the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley, the KESTREL pair were on the Greenhouses and a third bird was seen in the distance, up hunting over the Pub Field. The pair of LITTLE OWLS were sitting hunched up together on a favoured branch at the Greenhouse Copse, a pair of PHEASANTS and 3 GREEN WOODPECKERS were also seen in the copse. As I walked back through the Greenhouse Grounds a pair of BULLFINCH were seen, plus 3 SONGTHRUSH fed on the very water logged ground.

Still no addition to the December list, but i'm hopeful of seeing a flyover Lapwing or Greylag Goose before the month ends, or maybe even a Snipe if the weather turns a bit colder  :-)

These are the Little Owl images I took yesterday, plus a ROBIN that was begging to be Photographed!

Almost a clear view of it!


festive Robin



4 comments:

Noushka said...

Lovely photos Warren!
Your Robin is such a beautiful pic!
I have also noticed how the passerine birds are alerted ahead of us from the sparrowhawk's arrival! He creates a panic!
I haven't seen one at the feeders yet this winter but it is still early although I have one fly so it is around!
Keep well :)

Warren Baker said...

Hi Noushka,
Robins always make for a ggod photo, they are well behaved birds :-)

Stephen Mills said...

Some cracking photos warren.well done,mate.

Warren Baker said...

Cheers Steve :-)