Sunday 14 February 2016

A few light showers blew across the area on a raw NE wind early this morning, it did slowly brighten up somewhat as the day progressed though.

I spent 3 hours out, wading around in the muddy conditions, after all the rain there were some decent pools of water about, but they hadn't attracted any exciting birds.

The best of what was found today were; The 3 regular raptor species of SPARROWHAWK, BUZZARD and KESTREL, the latter were displaying and calling around the Greenhouse Grounds, where a small flock of 12-15 SISKINS were seen in the Alders.

The pair of MUTE SWANS remain on the ornamental lake, plus the likes of LONG TAILED TIT, COAL TIT, NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER, GOLDCREST, BULLFINCH and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER were found in the wooded areas of my patch.

The FIELDFARE / REDWING / STARLING flock had moved from the Ashes Lane Fields to the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley, there were at least 3 MISTLETHRUSHES with them, but there were no gulls out there today.

Flyovers from a single YELLOWHAMMER, a single SKYLARK, 2 LESSER REDPOLLS and a skein of 9 GREYLAG GEESE were of most note.

Around midday, there was some brief watery spells of brightness, so I tried to get some images of the birds at my garden feeding station, which was very busy now the temperature has dropped, there were 22 species counted, which included Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, SONGTHRUSH, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and WREN, all nice species to get in the garden, plus the Sparrowhawk made an appearance!


Up to 4 BLACKBIRDS are visiting



3 male and a female Siskin fight the other finches for the sunflower hearts


Of course, the Lesser Redpolls have to be photographed!



A dozen or so GOLDFINCH are always present


There is nearly always a Great Spotted Woodpecker ''stuck'' on the suet feeder!


The Long Tailed Tits have to wait for the Woodpecker to leave before they get there fill!




6 comments:

Marc Heath said...

Whoever invented the colours for a Siskin needs a pat on the back. Stunning pattern and colours and captured nicely in your shot. A good list of species for the garden, very healthy.

Derek Faulkner said...

Agree completely with your comments Marc.
There was one torrential burst of icy rain in a gale force NE wind on the reserve early this morning and I was half round the reserve when it hit - result was an icy soaking.

Warren Baker said...

Marc, Derek
The Siskins and Lesser Redpolls, the latter in their near breeding plumage, look stunning on the feeders together.

mallingbirder said...

Hi Warren, that 2nd Redpoll pic has a 'hint' of Mealy/Common to me - perhaps just the light!

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Cracking pics today Warren

big blackbird bust-up in the garden this morning - spring is getting a bit closer day by day

Cheers

DaveyMan

Warren Baker said...

Malling birder,
I cant make up my mind whether I have a mealy or two in the flock I have here or not !