Wednesday 18 April 2012

Today was an almost total write off, with heavy and persistent rain in the morning, giving way to frequent blustery and squally heavy showers this afternoon. I attempted a visit around Migrant Alley at 14:30, as it looked a bit brighter, but I was fooled, and soon got pretty wet under another deluge  :-)

Not much to report at all then today, the KESTRELS remain, and were up hunting despite the weather, and a SPARROWHAWK was seen flying low over the sheep pasture. LINNETS, and GREEN WOODPECKERS were the most obvious birds about, and a few CHIFFCHAFFS could just about be heard over the wind in the wooded headland to the north of Migrant Alley.

April is slipping away!

I did point the camera from my window this afternoon, but with some poor results, this male CHAFFINCH was about the best of a poor batch  :-(
Chaffinch
Chaffinch

12 comments:

Rohrerbot said...

That male Chaffinch is awesome!!! Puffed feathers or overweight?:)

kirstallcreatures said...

Fingers crossed for better weather soon.

Warren Baker said...

Things will change Linda :-)

Warren Baker said...

Rohrerbot,
I think the Chaffinch is a bit overweight, like most of the birds in my garden :-)

Anonymous said...

"April is slipping away!"

Too true, Warren. And i`m 13 species behind last April.

ShySongbird said...

What we need is rain at night and sun in the day Warren :-)

Like Chris I thought the Chaffinch looked a bit overly tubby and wondered about the ghastly Trichomoniasis. I hope it's not but it does seem to keep popping up :-(

Greenie said...

Warren ,
Strange the way April is shaping .
Hope the Mrs doesn't read your reply to Rohrerbot .

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Now don't go knockin that rain Warren, though I'm sure you'd prefer it to rain all night and stay dry during the day...pouring down here at the mo which is good cos I just had 100 gorse bushes planted at work today...bring on the Linnets. We ain't got no drought...yet...rivers are pretty low tho'.

Cheers

Davo

Warren Baker said...

Davo,
I might not like the conditions, but yep, the birds and animal life appreciate it after all the dryness we've had here!

Greenie,
I think I'll be ok with the wife, I rarely make her eat in the garden :-)

Songbird,
The Chaffinch was lively and alert when I photographed it, I think it was just puffed up a bit against the wet weather :-)

Warren Baker said...

Dean,
I'm 14 species behind last April, but last year does hold the record for species seen (77)

Jason K said...

I went 'off patch' today...got soaked...saw bugger all and missed out on a Yellow Wag and 5 Wheatears at Shenstone. That served me right!

Tim James said...

That's one chubby Chaffinch, Warren. Gluttony or was it cold?