Thursday 19 February 2009

Thursdays walk was done in dull, damp and misty conditions, I didn't even bother taking my camera! However, that's what the morning had brought, so I had to except it. I had to visit the tree nursery first, before the work crew arrived, I found a REED BUNTING here, not very often I see them away from the wild bird crop, which is 200 yards away, as the Bunting flies. The Barn owl was still not to be found, maybe it's gone to breed elsewhere. The LINNETS were seen leaving their roost, and a PIED WAGTAIL flew over, whilst song was heard from MISTLE THRUSH, SONG THRUSH, DUNNOCK, WREN, ROBIN and CHAFFINCH. Next stop was the wet woods and the Lake area, GOLDCREST, NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER and SISKIN were all seen in the woods, but the highlight for the day was finding 5 GREYLAG GEESE on the lake, the species I needed to get the February species record, which is now 64. There were also the Usual MALLARDS and MOORHENS, also 7 CANADA GEESE but nothing more exciting was found. I walked back through the woods, and on to the small holding, hoping to see a Little Owl, but it wasn't home, I did find GREEN WOODPECKERS, REDWINGS, BULLFINCH'S and a fltover GREY HERON, heading for the lake. As I came out onto Ashes lane, I scanned the wild bird crop, and the adjacent hedgerow, and saw 10 each of YELLOWHAMMER and Reed Bunting, but there were undoubtedly more in the crop.
After a quick stop at my house for a drink and snack, I went over to Migrant alley and the College grounds, being a working day there was alot of people around by now, and sightings were limited to the common species, Tits and Finch's, a few bold Redwing and a flock of 50 ish FIELDFARE on the sheep pasture, a SPARROWHAWK went through and spooked them all up, so I headed off home. It was a worthwhile trip though, 45 species is above average for a feb. day, and the new record for february was pleasing to achieve.

After getting home and having lunch, i set to work in the garden for a couple of hours, pruning back the Buddlea, and taking out the leaf fall from my ponds, the weather had perked up by now, so I decided to retire to the back bedroom and watch the birds. I got my camera out so I could put something on my blog, even if it was only garden bird pics. But I was pleasantly surprised by a welcome winter visitor - a SISKIN, a new one for the 'February Bird Count' taking me past my target total of 40, good one to get. It brings the total number of birds to use my garden this month to 25.


Above and below: The male Siskin on the sunflowere feeder
This Robin was in full song when I snapped it, a bit grainy but I liked the pose !
This is one of two Nuthatch's that came in
below is a ''full house'' of GOLDFINCH and a single GREENFINCH
'' next is a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, the first one is the male (Red spot on the back of head)

Below is one of the many Greenfinch's that feed on the sunflower hearts








11 comments:

Phil and Mandy said...

Once again some lovely photos Warren, I have put a couple of new feeders with sunflower hearts in my back garden, only attracting Blue Tits at the moment though.

Kingsdowner said...

Great shots of great birds.....I'm greylagging behind badly. Must spend more time in the garden.

Ken. said...

Hi Warren.
We done in passing your targets. You got some nice pictures today. I like the Siskin shots, and you did catch the Robin just right.
Is there any particular species that you would like to find in your area Warren?

Oxonhoath Birds said...

Find us a COOT warren. Like the pics

Warren Baker said...

Ken,
As Mr Oxonhoath well knows, Coots are hard to come by, and it's always a relief to find one for the year list! I would also like to see other Duck species, the lake holds great potential, but it is full of large fish, which eat everything, also there is a good deal of disturbance

lee said...

Hello Warren, I am pleased when i get Green and goldfinches in my garden but siskin now i am jealous lovely photos.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: You have outdone yourself with these shots. I have had a good week with my first of the year American Robin and a Mourning Dove. I also saw a Red Wing Blackbird but scared it away without a photo.

FAB said...

Nice series of pics of your garden visitors Warren. Siskin now that would get my heart beat racing! I liked the Robin in full song.

Kelly said...

...your siskins have so much more yellow than ours. Love all the shots, but that little singing robin steals the show. I enjoy seeing the differences and similarities between European and American species.

North West Birds said...

The robins you have are a lot different than the American robins we get over here!

Chris said...

Well, it is not because they are garden birds that they do not have any roles on the planet and that we should not take care of them and get pictures of them... That's my feeling and your pictures are truly amazing... I love the robin, he looks so confident...