I was out on patch for a little over two hours today, where it was hard going, however the visit was not a write off. My early walk around the paddocks and sheep pasture had only produced a few flyover HERRING GULLS and couple of LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS, plus a nice little group of 15 LINNETS feeding on Dandelion heads, but as I walked along the Wooded Headland to the north of the fields I heard my first LESSER WHITETHROAT (89,77) of the year, initially it quietly gave a jumbled warble, but eventually it broke into its rattle like song, hopefully it will stay around and find somewhere to breed here. Although much of the headland has been cleared of its dense undergrowth now, there was song from CHIFFCHAFF and BLACKCAP, leading to the assumption they they will try to breed here, the LONG TAILED TITS have most certainly done so, three birds were actively feeding youngsters in a nest.
The 14 year median average arrival date for Lesser Whitethroat on my patch is the 26th April, so a little later than that this year, I only had to wait until the 16th April last year though :-)
The woods and lakes provided little in the way of excitement, a BUZZARD was again seen in the Wet Woods and the TREECREEPER sang from there again. The lakes had just a few drake MALLARDS loafing around and 4 CANADA GEESE doing like wise, the pair of GREYLAG GEESE were 'gosling less' but i'm sure there are more than enough pairs to make up for the predation of this brood - that's nature!
The months list is poised tantalisingly at 77, just two species behind the record April tally of 79, with the weather looking a bit better tomorrow, I might just get my first Swift or Hobby fly over, maybe even a passing Turtle Dove, fingers crossed :-)
No pics were taken in the poor light today, but I have few from previous days, yet another predator!
This SPARROWHAWK was back hunting the finches in my garden, poor lighting, but ok images
It was a male CHAFFINCH that was the unfortunate victim
Bon appetite!
7 comments:
Turtle dove tomorrow would be good for you Warren. Shame the wind's not turning more favourably until the weekend - ie May
Cheers
DaveyMan
Davyman,
Used to have scores of Turtle Doves here ten years ago, just one bird was heard purring last year :-( Might just get a Garden Warbler before may if i'm lucky :-)
Last September a friend of mine in Eastchurch was given a Turtle Dove with a damaged wing. He put it in the outdoor flight of his aviary with his budgies and by January the dove's wing had completely recovered. Last month he released the dove in his garden and it flew off but returns every couple of days for food. Hopefully it will link up with some returning Turtle Doves and recover it's migratory ways, although it's probably safer here.
Derek,
Maybe said bird will breed, and establish a non migratory population, unlikely but a nice thought!
A nice thought indeed Warren, it's happened with Marsh Harrier, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, so it can happen.
Great photos, even in the low light.
We are getting some much needed rain here today, and fortunately it has brought the temps down from a record high of 104F (40C) 2 days ago to a more tolerable 82F (28C).
Wilma, Poor you ! LoL
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