Saturday 2 May 2015

My first full patch walk of May was carried out this morning in cold and grey conditions, but after the 6 hours I had spent out, a decent tally of 48 species had been found.

Adding to the 41 species seen yesterday, were the LITTLE OWL (42) that was at its usual place in the Greenhouse Copse and a YELLOWHAMMER (43) that flew over Migrant Alley, calling as it went, also, a little later as I walked along High House Lane, a pair of MANDARIN DUCKS (44) flew low over.

A GREYLAG GOOSE (45) was added to the May list when a single bird was seen grazing on one of the ashes Lane Fields, but much more notable were the two LESSER WHITETHROATS (46) that were seen and heard singing from around the run off pool at the edge of the fields.

A good search of the wooded areas of my patch didn't give me a Treecreeper or a Nuthatch for the months list, but singing from CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP, SONGTHRUSH, GOLDCREST and COAL TIT was heard, plus the calls from STOCK DOVE, JAY, BULLFINCH, GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS. There was nothing at all on the lakes apart from four CANADA GEESE, it looks as though Mute Swan and Coot will be missing from the monthly lists now, as they are not breeding here this year.

An end of visit sky watch was very productive, as it provided me with my first SWIFTS (90,47) of the year, plus my first HOBBY (91,48) of the year, plus lots of BUZZARD sightings and views of the male KESTREL up hunting over the Greenhouse Grounds.

No camera action today in the poor light, all ive got in the 'blog folder' are these Woodmouse images, taken in my garden  :-)

Woodmice




9 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

That top pic is a real top pic Warren - a lovely scene

Cheers

DaveyMan

Warren Baker said...

Davyman,
Ive got more mice than birds at the moment! LoL

Stephen Mills said...

Nice to see you got your Swift today Warren.

Wilma said...

Not a bad start. Adorable wood mice.

Warren Baker said...

Spot Fly next Steve ?

Warren Baker said...

Wilma,
The mice aren't everyones 'cup of tea' I like 'em though :-)

Pete Woodruff said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pete Woodruff said...

Woodmice in the garden excellent....Woodmice images excellent.

The Swift are late Warren, the mean date in Lancashire is 16 April, so more than two weeks adrift here.

Warren Baker said...

Pete,
Swifts have arrived late, you're right, the 14 year median average arrival date here is the 29th Apr.