Sunday 1 March 2009

The first full walk of a new month, and my usual bird census took place, a good total of almost 700 birds was counted, of 47 species, a flying start to March! The best March species count was of 65, achieved back in 2006, but with a combined March total of 76, surley I can pass that ?
The most numerous bird seen, as is quite often the case, was the WOODPIGEON, with 148, but a good total of 57 BLUE TITS were also seen, and in the wildbird crop a minimum 40 REED BUNTINGS were feeding with at least a dozen YELLOWHAMMER. Of the finch family just 3 SISKIN were seen, along with 20 GREENFINCH, 8 GOLDFINCH, 4 BULLFINCH and 24 CHAFFINCH, These species don't seem to flock together in any great number on my patch. The smaller birds seem to have survived the worst of winter, 17 WRENS and 7 GOLDCRESTS were all vocal, as were the 14 DUNNOCKS. The only birds that were a bit light in numbers were the thrush family. REDWING numbered 27, FIELDFARE just 6, SONGTHRUSH 8, MISTLE THRUSH 6 and BLACKBIRD 35. The highlight for me though was finding that a COOT had come to the lake! Excellent stuff, it was in the company of 10 CANADA GEESE, 2 GREYLAG GEESE, 12 MALLARD and 10 MOORHEN. Other species seen singly were SPARROWHAWK, LESSER BLACK BACK GULL, COAL TIT, TREECREEPER, JAY and a flyover REDPOLL, typically the latter was not recorded at all last month!

The day wasn't conducive for photography, but here's a couple of pics anyway.

Above: A male Sparrowhawk surveys his domain. Below is the bird of the day a Coot!



9 comments:

EP Andy said...

Warren

Good start, do you reckon this is THE Coot from a few days ago. EP is as quiet as your area today although 7 Golden Plover overhead heading NE this morning.

Warren Baker said...

Hi Andy,
I reckon it's most probably a different coot, just passing through. Golden plover is a nice march species to record. How big is your patch, and what are the main habitats ?

Greenie said...

Warren ,
See you managed to dry him out and get him floating again .
Great day total .

The Wessex Reiver said...

That's a cracking count of Blackbirds Warren, and a pretty impressive bird list for a patch on a day.

North West Birds said...

Cool coot!

Ken. said...

Hi Warren.
What a nice selection of birds you had today. Glad your Coot is back in the area.Nice count od Reed Buntings. Wouldn't be suprised if you get a good total for March.

Kelly said...

...I like the looks of that Sparrowhawk. Also like your new ID photo of the little owl.

EP Andy said...

Warren

My patch is approx 3 mile circular walk out of the village to the east where I hit the Medway at the disused Stoneham lock and follow the river back into the village via Sluice Weir lock and back home. The patch consists of arable fields, active and disused gravel pits, a small sewage farm!!!!! and riverside scrub and woodland. Over the years I've lived in EP, 20 now, I've recorded 126 species although still haven't got Osprey or Buzzard. I know osprey has been seen and a pair of Buzzards are only 2kms to the north of the patch but no luck for me YET. Best birds over the years, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Whimbrel and last year 2 Bewick's Swans.

Chris said...

Hi Warren,
So many species, I'm becoming jealous now!!! I went out this week end and only saw a bit over 25 species!! All of them are not arrived yet but some migrants are there.... I would love to see the golden plover over here, it would mean that spring is there... Icelanders consequently love to see them!!