I got round for a full patch walk this morning, the four hour visit yielding 47 species, a little lower than of late, with a few of the shyer species not being seen today, like Bullfinch and Sparrowhawk.
No new migrant species were seen today, but a couple more SWALLOWS have arrived, 4 were seen over the Greenhouse Grounds / migrant Alley, the latter habitat also had a mix of four Gull species still hanging about, those being HERRING GULL, LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL, BLACK HEADED GULL and COMMON GULL.
A flyover GREY HERON (55) was the only addition to the April list, a bit disappointing, but there should be lots more to come, only once in the last ten years has April failed to reach 70+ bird species (2012). Other flyovers noted were SISKIN, SKYLARK and MEADOW PIPIT, maybe one the last of the latter species, as their median average last sighting date here is the 19th April.
A search for my first Willow Warbler of the year around the Wet Woods, Scrubby Woods and lake edges didn't prove fruitful, not surprising though, they are a rapidly declining visitor here now, last spring produced just one record :-(
Plenty of BUZZARDS were sen on my hours skywatching session, but little else, the only other raptor recorded today was the KESTREL pair that moved about from the Greenhouse Grounds, Ashes Lane Fields and Migrant Alley. Lastly, my first Butterfly of April was recorded - a Small Tortoiseshell.
The female Kestrel always poses nicely, but the male is very camera shy!
The only other images I took today were of the ever obliging DUNNOCKS :-)
3 comments:
The Dunnock really is a very striking and beautiful bird, nicely shown off in your photos.
Yes, your photographs stand up consistently well Warren. The Dunnock is indeed a beautiful bird as shown in your shots, and the Kestrel is exceptional.
Thanks guys,
Just keep that light coming !
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