A busy day.
I did see a few Redwing again in the small spinney trees to the east and a Mistle Thrush was singing near the village church.
Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Monday, 27 February 2017
27th Feb - short sharp showers, brief sunny spells, light SW, 7C
This week will be busy getting ready for lambing, so not too much free time.
A few Redwing flew over this morning and I briefly checked my feed station noting at least 6 Yellowhammer and a couple of Tree Sparrow. This time of year is hard for seed eaters, so help for them is important, no seeds have been produced in the wild for a long time now.
A few Redwing flew over this morning and I briefly checked my feed station noting at least 6 Yellowhammer and a couple of Tree Sparrow. This time of year is hard for seed eaters, so help for them is important, no seeds have been produced in the wild for a long time now.
Sunday, 26 February 2017
26th Feb - cloudy, mod-strong blustery SW, 10C
At breakfast time 2 cock Blackbirds were disputing garden territory while a hen bird watched on.
In the field to the east 2 cock Pheasant were having a territory dispute too, I wonder if they have partners. A small mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare flew overhead.
I visited Stanford reservoir this afternoon, the wind was a challenge and it felt cool, the water was very rough. However, the water level is now much lower providing a good 2m wide ashore around all of the reservoir. So, we should attract some spring waders on migration if it remains like this for a few more weeks.
Today, the long-tailed duck was seen again, about 50 Goosanders, the number of teal has risen to about 80 now the shore is present. 11 Little Egret were seen, although a fisherman said he counted 20 and others were present too. All the other usual duck species were present, along with Great-crested Grebes and 4 Little Grebe. A female Grey Wagtail sat on the overflow wall and about 20 Fieldfare flew over with a few Redwing with them. Finally, a Cetti's Warbler was singing from a waterside thicket.
In the field to the east 2 cock Pheasant were having a territory dispute too, I wonder if they have partners. A small mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare flew overhead.
I visited Stanford reservoir this afternoon, the wind was a challenge and it felt cool, the water was very rough. However, the water level is now much lower providing a good 2m wide ashore around all of the reservoir. So, we should attract some spring waders on migration if it remains like this for a few more weeks.
Today, the long-tailed duck was seen again, about 50 Goosanders, the number of teal has risen to about 80 now the shore is present. 11 Little Egret were seen, although a fisherman said he counted 20 and others were present too. All the other usual duck species were present, along with Great-crested Grebes and 4 Little Grebe. A female Grey Wagtail sat on the overflow wall and about 20 Fieldfare flew over with a few Redwing with them. Finally, a Cetti's Warbler was singing from a waterside thicket.
Saturday, 25 February 2017
25th. Feb - cloudy, light to blusterly SW, 10C, damp, light showers on/off
This morning first thing a Blackbird sat on the roof top singing away.
In the wood to the east of the village a Geeat-spotted Woodpecker was drumming and a Green Woodpecker 'yaffled' often. In the spinney to the west about 30 Redwings flew of heading eastward.
The rest of the day I visited vintage feastival at Malvern, a part of the country I don't know too well. What is most striking as you enter this area of Worcestershire is the large amount of Mistletoe that seems to be in every suitable tree.
In the wood to the east of the village a Geeat-spotted Woodpecker was drumming and a Green Woodpecker 'yaffled' often. In the spinney to the west about 30 Redwings flew of heading eastward.
The rest of the day I visited vintage feastival at Malvern, a part of the country I don't know too well. What is most striking as you enter this area of Worcestershire is the large amount of Mistletoe that seems to be in every suitable tree.
Friday, 24 February 2017
24th Feb - sunny morning, broken cloud pm, light SW, 9C
various tree debris in many places following yesterday's strong wind, travelling around locally there were plenty of branches down. The Rooks in the local Long Spinney had been very busy over the recent weeks and many were looking good, however, yesterday's wind has blown all but 2 away. They ought to rebuild again in the near future. Fortunately, other Rook nests in the area were not so badly affected and many remained in place.
I visited Shawell lagoons this afternoon, there were plenty of Gulls on the lagoons, maybe 1500, of all the commoner species. Looking carefully through the Gulls on the shore I was able to find a juvenile Glaucous Gull busy preening itself.
Also, present was 2 Great-crested Grebe, a small flock of Tufted Duck, -35 Canada Geese, Coot and Moorhen, 2 Wigeon and 5 Teal. I was scanning the edge along the reeded area when a Water Rail walked slowing through a gap feeding as it went, my first record for this site.
After awhile I moved to check the Sandy Lane pools area, here I counted 50 Pied Wagtail busy feeding, a single Meadow Pipit and Linnet with them. On the far pool the hoped for Green Sandpiper was feeding.
I visited Shawell lagoons this afternoon, there were plenty of Gulls on the lagoons, maybe 1500, of all the commoner species. Looking carefully through the Gulls on the shore I was able to find a juvenile Glaucous Gull busy preening itself.
Juv/1W Glaucous Gull
After awhile I moved to check the Sandy Lane pools area, here I counted 50 Pied Wagtail busy feeding, a single Meadow Pipit and Linnet with them. On the far pool the hoped for Green Sandpiper was feeding.
Thursday, 23 February 2017
23rd Feb - strong, gusty west wind, 40mph+, cloudy am, sunny spells brief pm, 8C, occ short showers later
Storm Doris came through mostly north of us and over the UK causing some damage and much snow in Scotland. Although very windy here we have got away pretty well unscathed.
Wildlife was keeping well out the way today with only the usual hardy birds like Gulls and crows attempting to fly about. Travelling along the A5 just passed Hinckley I noticed a Kestrel battling head on in to the wind.
Wildlife was keeping well out the way today with only the usual hardy birds like Gulls and crows attempting to fly about. Travelling along the A5 just passed Hinckley I noticed a Kestrel battling head on in to the wind.
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
22nd Feb - cloudy, mod-freshening NW/W, mild 13C
I was passing the landfill site this afternoon so I stopped to see if I could find any of the scarce Gulls. I have often mentioned the landfill site at Cotesbach and today it was really busy with Gulls as filling continued. Not always picturesque sites hold 'good' birds, as you can see from the following photos.
These photos show only a small portion of the Gulls visiting the landfill, there were many hundred flying and taking a drink/preen/rest at the pools which are nearby in the sand quarry. Easily 2000-3000 Gulls were in attendance, however I did not succeed in finding a Iceland or Glaucous Gull among them.
In one Gull flock circling over the area a Red Kite joined in, sometimes being harassed by the larger Gulls.
A Green Sandpiper was feeding on the nearby field pools.
In one Gull flock circling over the area a Red Kite joined in, sometimes being harassed by the larger Gulls.
A Green Sandpiper was feeding on the nearby field pools.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)