I had a four and a half hour full patch walk this morning, which turned up 46 bird species, that's a little better than average for a December day.
There were some bits of interest today along with the usual regular stuff, a glimpse of the rear end of a WOODCOCK (66) that was disturbed in the Scrubby Woods took the months tally to 66, which is the average number of species seen for the previous five Decembers. I also added MEDITERRANEAN GULL (67) to the December list, the first for any December in fact, when one was seen with the BLACK HEADED GULL flock at Migrant Alley, i've been anticipating one for weeks :-) There were also 5 LAPWING there today, plus the only raptor of the day flew over, that being a BUZZARD.
The overwintering CHIFFCHAFF was seen in the same bush as yesterday at the Greenhouse Grounds, where both SISKIN and LESSER REDPOLL were found feeding in the Alders in small numbers, maybe a dozen of each. A skein of 16 GREYLAG GEESE flew over as I made my way to the lakes.
The only species of note on the lakes today was a KINGFISHER, but the Scrubby Woods and Wet Woods were almost springlike, with drumming GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER being heard, as well as song from BLACKBIRD, SONGTHRUSH, MISTLETHRUSH, ROBIN, WREN, DUNNOCK, GOLDCREST and STOCK DOVE, I even watched a STARLING displaying from a chimney :-) I reckon we are in for a really early spring this year!
Photo's today are from my garden feeding station, taken yesterday afternoon.
I counted 15 of these Lesser Redpolls, they just cant get enough of the sunflower hearts!
The CHAFFINCHES find them irresistible too :-)
I'll post the rest of the images tomorrow :-)
7 comments:
Just walked back across the marsh in the dark and a cold gale force wind and a heavy rain shower after completing this month's Harrier Roost count - the count - no Hen Harriers seen going in to roost.
Just out of curiosity, who disturbed the Woodcock in the Scrubby Woods.
Derek, I did, but at the pace I was going it just flew up and alighted further into the wood................unlike when a dog goes rushing through....yes I know what you were getting at!
OK Warren, thanks for your reply.
Merry Christmas Warren. Keep up the good work in the new year.
As for flushing the Woodcock....at least you didn't shoot the poor thing.
Good to see the Woodcock and Med Gull highlighted Warren.
By the way....my preference is for the Chaffinch background to the Redpoll.
Pete,
I think I agree with the background choice!
Phil,
I'll certainly be out there next year, have a good Christmas and new year mate :-)
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