Sunday 28 December 2014

26th and 28th update.

As the old year spills quickly away there seems little hope that we will add one more species total of 87 for the year. But being the optimist I was out with Willow on Boxing day morning to see what was about. Of course I was not feeling on top form as I was in the process of attaining an infection under a cracked wisdom tooth , not much seasonal cheer in that department .
There were still good numbers of Blackbirds around with a massive 29 plus seen today .The other winter Thrushes still were over the patch with 31plus Fieldfare and 90 plus Redwing feeding on the hedgerows or on pasture. Just a single Mistle Thrush but still at least 7 Song Thrush also. There were also 2 Bullfinch around we seem to be enjoying a good run of these at the moment .
 In the top fields there were still good numbers of birds with a mobile flock of at least 30 plus Meadow Pipits along with at least 8 Pied Wagtails mixed in with them .
In the same vicinity were at least 14 plus Skylark and a good count of 16 Stock Dove ,the latter being a good count for this time of year.
The by now usual 2 Red Legged Partridge headed for the hills as we appeared . The other bird of note was a flock of at least 250 plus Starling feeding in the same fields , good to see some in numbers after a poor Autumn for them on the patch .
On the raptor front we managed a single Buzzard, a male Kestrel perched over a ploughed field and a female Sparrow Hawk which made a failed attempt at a Skylark .
The pastures are attracting a few passing Gulls and a small flock of Lesser Black Backed, Herring, Common, and Black Headed Gulls were feeding amongst the cattle.
The best of the rest today were a Green Woodpecker and a calling Jay.
The 28th dawned very cold after a hard frost ,the first of the winter too really bite. It was a clear blue sky that greeted Willow and I this morning and I had to wrap a scarf over my swollen cheek/ mouth to keep out the cold as I was in great pain with this flaming infection, I am beginning to wonder  when the drugs will kick in ,it cannot come soon enough believe me !
 The frost was heavy on the ground and the patch still held good numbers of winter Thrush with 77 plus Redwing, 48 plus Fieldfare, 4 Mistle Thrush, 20 plus Blackbird and at least 5 Song Thrush .
On the top fields there were still 14 plus Meadow Pipits, 4 Pied Wagtails and just 4 Skylark, all reduced in numbers perhaps there have been moved on by the cold snap. One bird has increased however with over 350 plus Starling feeding on the nearby pastures.
The gull flock today included 10 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 4 Herring Gull and 10 Black Headed Gull .
 On the raptor front just a couple Buzzard today was all we could muster.
An over flying Mute Swan was nice to see ( not something we see that often so worthy of a mention).
The best of the rest today were a Green Woodpecker ,a fly over Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinch, and 3 Stock Dove.
 However the best sighting by a country mile was a fine Fox that looked a picture of health as it trotted over the frost whitened fields, just superb and a large middle finger to local Fox hunt .  Lets hope they all got really wet and cold yesterday .
Out tomorrow to see whats about so expect another update.