Thursday 20 October 2016

In overcast, but calm conditions this morning, I undertook the 8th full patch walk of the month, in which the four hours produced a rather low tally of 42 bird species.

One new addition was made to the months bird list when a TAWNY OWL (68) was kindly pointed out to me by a cacophony of scolding BLACKBIRDS, CHAFINCHES and GREAT TITS, they had found its roost in a large leylandi tree at the Scrubby Woods.

Of the regularly seen species, Long Tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Pheasant, Buzzard and Stock Dove were missing today, as well as Linnet, most of the latter have probably moved out of the area for the winter now. Winter / Autumn arrivals continue, with LESSER REDPOLL, SISKIN, FIELDFARE and REDWING all recorded, but only as flyovers.

KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK represented the Raptors, BLACK HEADED GULL and HERRING GULL the Larids, as for the Summer species, just a single CHIFFCHAFF was found, this at the Greenhouse Grounds, where I was pleased to see a YELLOWHAMMER drop in.

Still finding photo opportunities hard to come by, what with poor light a few birds, especially at my garden feeders!

6 comments:

Marc Heath said...

The weather is playing pretty hard for photos at the moment but I suspect you will have a few more surprises before the years end. I have updated my Nethergong blog @ http://ngbirding.blogspot.co.uk/ if you don't mind a peep.

Derek Faulkner said...

Just to depress you further Warren, I read today that one of the Cranes from the Great Crane Project in Somerset has been found shot dead in a field.

Warren Baker said...

I'll take a look Marc :-)

Warren Baker said...

Derek,
A shooter probably thought it was a big pigeon :-)

Pete Woodruff said...

Iv'e just enjoyed getting up to date on your comings and goings Warren, but must add to this, that nobody with the remotest interest in wildlife/birds would have needed the shooting of this Crane to be pointed out to them as they would already be aware of this appalling act, your response fits perfectly.

Warren Baker said...

Cheers Pete :-)