Sunday was like waking up in a different world , bright sunny skies, no wind ,a slight frost. Willow and I were out by 7.30am and we were rewarded with a really great walk on the patch .
Winter Thrushes were still in evidence but in reduced numbers this morning with 120 plus Fieldfare and 50 plus Redwing around . The Starling flock likewise was lesser in numbers with 260 plus present.
On the pasture were 6 Red Legged Partridge, 8 Stock Dove , one flyover Pied Wagtail and a good count of 25 plus Skylark . There was a single bird and two pairs and a flock of 20 plus winter visitors on the usual pasture, it is more difficult to see them at the moment because there are sheep on the grass at the moment.
A Green Woodpecker was calling at the same time as a Greater Spotted Woodpecker was drumming , spring is just round the corner as there was plenty of bird song this morning and the woodpeckers were joining in on the first decent morning in weeks.
On the floodwaters the most notable birds were the flock of Black Headed Gulls which today numbered 90 plus and 2 separate Moorhens bobbing about. A Raven passed eastwards towards Cleeve Hill ,the first I have seen for a few days.
As we ambled over the fields a Brown Hare exploded from its scrape, Willow just smiled and did not bother to give chase. On reaching the old orchard my attention was drawn to a small flock of birds that were calling and acting in an agitated manner (Chaffinch ,Blue Tit ,Great Tit , Robin) ,a sure sign that a bird of prey is present or an Owl is roosting within one of the old Apple trees, sure enough as I stared at the tree I found myself in a staring contest with a Little Owl ! number 53 in the bag.
This was turning out to be a cracking walk and it was to get better as we rounded a hedgerow we found ourselves face to face with a large dog Fox, it was in superb condition .
We moved to the edge of our patch over some stubble fields and my eye was drawn to a flock of birds that flew into a hedgerow from the stubble, it was great to see a flock of 10 Yellowhammers the largest number seen on the patch ever . The final birds of note were the small flock of wintering Chaffinch that is present at the moment ,although only 15 plus birds it is the only flock we have had this winter, last year we had flocks of 200 plus on occasions. One final thought where have the Meadow Pipits gone ?
The patch list now stands at 53
Monday, 17 February 2014
Saturday, 15 February 2014
Breaking the half century
Hello, and welcome to this weeks update from an increasingly wet and flooded patch .The last week has been another week of driving rain and gale force winds, the ground is a sodden muddy swamp and a number of trees have fallen foul of the winds .
After helping build a sandbag wall to help keep the village from flooding the 51st species for this year on the patch came in the form of 2 Tawny Owls calling to each other ,a nice way to get over the 50 barrier.
After the storm on Friday ,I was out on the patch fairly early and out it was fairly obvious the winter thrush numbers are still high on the patch with a average number of 56 plus Redwing around but this was dwarfed by the large numbers of Fieldfare present with 550 plus seen. They were supported by 850 plus Starling .A solitary Mistle Thrush was also seen.
Species 52 for the year came in the form of 2 Shelduck which were on the floodwater ,a good bird for the patch and only the second record here. A couple of Moorhen were nice again a product of the floods . The Black Headed Gull flock has reduced in number with 65 plus today.
Apart from that it was hard going with the weather although 6 plus Skylarks were about ,a number even daring to sing . 5 plus Stock Dove and a Pied Wagtail made up the best of the rest.
The patch total now stands at 52.
After helping build a sandbag wall to help keep the village from flooding the 51st species for this year on the patch came in the form of 2 Tawny Owls calling to each other ,a nice way to get over the 50 barrier.
After the storm on Friday ,I was out on the patch fairly early and out it was fairly obvious the winter thrush numbers are still high on the patch with a average number of 56 plus Redwing around but this was dwarfed by the large numbers of Fieldfare present with 550 plus seen. They were supported by 850 plus Starling .A solitary Mistle Thrush was also seen.
Species 52 for the year came in the form of 2 Shelduck which were on the floodwater ,a good bird for the patch and only the second record here. A couple of Moorhen were nice again a product of the floods . The Black Headed Gull flock has reduced in number with 65 plus today.
Apart from that it was hard going with the weather although 6 plus Skylarks were about ,a number even daring to sing . 5 plus Stock Dove and a Pied Wagtail made up the best of the rest.
The patch total now stands at 52.
Sunday, 9 February 2014
Come in number 50 your time is up !
Well the last week has been hard going on the patch with the weather being crap and really crap with heavy rain and high winds , the whole area is heavily flooded and the higher ground were we are is just a muddy morass .
The main highlight of midweek was a large flock of 1700 plus Starlings which were feeding on a partially flooded field ,the rest of the usual birds being present in small numbers.
So Saturday dawned bright but windy and the first bird seen was number 50 for the patch ,a Grey Heron passed over then dropped onto the flood edge and began feeding, keeping it company were 350 plus Black Headed Gulls with Common and Lesser Black Backed Gulls sprinkled in for good measure.
On the pastureland 4 Linnet passed over ,and just 7 Meadow Pipits were about . The star sighting was a superb Brown Hare which sprung from its scrape as Willow and I got near. Willow just looked at me and did not even bother to take up the chase. Skylarks were at 12 birds with one daring to sing for a brief moment.
In an old orchard a fine mixed flock of 250 plus Starling, 50 plus Redwing and 40 Fieldfare were feeding on the ground underneath the old apple trees.
The best of the rest were 7 Stock Dove, 3 Red Legged Partridge, Buzzard and a flock of 25 plus Woodpigeon .
Sunday early morning was windy but apart from the odd shower dry .
Winter Thrushes were back in number with 350 plus Fieldfare, 100 plus Redwing and tagging along 100 plus Starling ,many of these birds will head in the same direction in a few short weeks ,back up to Scandanavia for the summer months .
The flood waters have risen and a large flock of 400 plus Black Headed Gulls were feeding and a small flock of 10 Lapwing flapped lazily towards the flooded river meadows .
On the pastures were 9 Meadow Pipits and 22 plus Skylarks with up to 3 singers ,spring is on its way or so the Skylarks would have us believe .
The first winter flock of Chaffinch were found with 20 plus feeding in a sheltered spot, we would of expected to have seen larger flocks at this time of year ,but not this year so far .
The best of the rest were a Green Woodpecker, Buzzard, Stock Dove Pied Wagtail .
The patch list now stands at . 50
The main highlight of midweek was a large flock of 1700 plus Starlings which were feeding on a partially flooded field ,the rest of the usual birds being present in small numbers.
So Saturday dawned bright but windy and the first bird seen was number 50 for the patch ,a Grey Heron passed over then dropped onto the flood edge and began feeding, keeping it company were 350 plus Black Headed Gulls with Common and Lesser Black Backed Gulls sprinkled in for good measure.
On the pastureland 4 Linnet passed over ,and just 7 Meadow Pipits were about . The star sighting was a superb Brown Hare which sprung from its scrape as Willow and I got near. Willow just looked at me and did not even bother to take up the chase. Skylarks were at 12 birds with one daring to sing for a brief moment.
In an old orchard a fine mixed flock of 250 plus Starling, 50 plus Redwing and 40 Fieldfare were feeding on the ground underneath the old apple trees.
The best of the rest were 7 Stock Dove, 3 Red Legged Partridge, Buzzard and a flock of 25 plus Woodpigeon .
Sunday early morning was windy but apart from the odd shower dry .
Winter Thrushes were back in number with 350 plus Fieldfare, 100 plus Redwing and tagging along 100 plus Starling ,many of these birds will head in the same direction in a few short weeks ,back up to Scandanavia for the summer months .
The flood waters have risen and a large flock of 400 plus Black Headed Gulls were feeding and a small flock of 10 Lapwing flapped lazily towards the flooded river meadows .
On the pastures were 9 Meadow Pipits and 22 plus Skylarks with up to 3 singers ,spring is on its way or so the Skylarks would have us believe .
The first winter flock of Chaffinch were found with 20 plus feeding in a sheltered spot, we would of expected to have seen larger flocks at this time of year ,but not this year so far .
The best of the rest were a Green Woodpecker, Buzzard, Stock Dove Pied Wagtail .
The patch list now stands at . 50
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Two patch ticks
What a difference a day makes ! Bright sunshine, slight breeze and no rain ! .With the better weather came the birds and the first bird seen was a patch and year tick ,it came in the form of a cracking Grey Wagtail feeding on semi flooded pasture .
As the walk progressed it became obvious that there were plenty of birds around at least 1000 plus Starling 400 plus Fieldfares and 250 plus Redwings on pastureland or feeding in the hedges. 2 Mistle Thrushes were keeping them company as well.
It was nice to see the first Bullfinches in a while with 2 been seen and an unseen Moorhen called from a flooded field .
The top fields are a mess ,mud and standing water making going tough but there were a flock of 9 Pied Wagtails and 40 plus Meadow Pipits feeding there. On the usual field 20 plus Skylarks were feeding and one gave brief song maybe hoping to kick start spring.
The raptor flag was flown by 2 Buzzards and a female Kestrel which passed over.
On the flooded fields 5 Mute Swans and small groups of Mallard were feeding and a large flock of 500 plus Black Headed Gulls were feeding on the edge of the water, it was a flock took off and headed over me that 1 Gull caught my attention and I was surprised to see that it was indeed an adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull , a great bird and my second patch tick of the day
The best of the rest were Green Woodpecker ,Greater Spotted Woodpecker Linnet ,5 northern looking Lesser Black Backed Gulls ,3 Stock Dove .
The species total for the year jumps to 49
As the walk progressed it became obvious that there were plenty of birds around at least 1000 plus Starling 400 plus Fieldfares and 250 plus Redwings on pastureland or feeding in the hedges. 2 Mistle Thrushes were keeping them company as well.
It was nice to see the first Bullfinches in a while with 2 been seen and an unseen Moorhen called from a flooded field .
The top fields are a mess ,mud and standing water making going tough but there were a flock of 9 Pied Wagtails and 40 plus Meadow Pipits feeding there. On the usual field 20 plus Skylarks were feeding and one gave brief song maybe hoping to kick start spring.
The raptor flag was flown by 2 Buzzards and a female Kestrel which passed over.
On the flooded fields 5 Mute Swans and small groups of Mallard were feeding and a large flock of 500 plus Black Headed Gulls were feeding on the edge of the water, it was a flock took off and headed over me that 1 Gull caught my attention and I was surprised to see that it was indeed an adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull , a great bird and my second patch tick of the day
The best of the rest were Green Woodpecker ,Greater Spotted Woodpecker Linnet ,5 northern looking Lesser Black Backed Gulls ,3 Stock Dove .
The species total for the year jumps to 49
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Thrushtastic
As usual the weather is horrific, howling winds driving rain ,the usual really. The flood waters have risen once again after falling over the last few days.
As the title says there were good numbers of winter Thrushes with Redwing 350 plus and Fieldfares supporting with 300 plus. A great sight . Also on the sodden pastures were 200 plus Starling . Theses were the birds that dominated with small passerines keeping their heads down in the howling winds.
The numbers of Skylarks were 7 and there were 8 Meadow Pipits in the long grass .
Over the flood waters were 135 plus Black Headed Gulls and a loose flock of 40 plus Wigeon flew downriver .
On the large puddles in the fields were 10 plus Pied Wagtails and in the hedges were a flock of 50 plus Woodpigeon with 3 Stock Doves tagging along.
It was nice to see a flock of 10 Goldfinches overhead .We appear to be a good few species down on this time last year, I suppose that is the consequence of this mild wet winter.
As the title says there were good numbers of winter Thrushes with Redwing 350 plus and Fieldfares supporting with 300 plus. A great sight . Also on the sodden pastures were 200 plus Starling . Theses were the birds that dominated with small passerines keeping their heads down in the howling winds.
The numbers of Skylarks were 7 and there were 8 Meadow Pipits in the long grass .
Over the flood waters were 135 plus Black Headed Gulls and a loose flock of 40 plus Wigeon flew downriver .
On the large puddles in the fields were 10 plus Pied Wagtails and in the hedges were a flock of 50 plus Woodpigeon with 3 Stock Doves tagging along.
It was nice to see a flock of 10 Goldfinches overhead .We appear to be a good few species down on this time last year, I suppose that is the consequence of this mild wet winter.
Saturday, 25 January 2014
Friday ,Saturday update.
After work on Friday it was onto the patch with Willow ,still mild ,very wet underfoot , with rain in the offing .First bird was a male Sparrowhawk that zipped over the hedge line ,nice start ! sadly it went down hill from there .
On the pastures were 400 plus Starling with just 15 plus Fieldfare , and a paltry 5 Skylark , Meadow Pipits numbered just 8 ,where have they all gone ?
Overhead the by now regular winter pair of Ravens passed over and a 2 Stock Doves zipped through.
On the floodwaters 100 plus Black Headed Gulls were feeding along with the odd Common, Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls.
The best of the rest were 2 Mistle Thrush and a flock of 100 plus Jackdaws.
Saturday was going to be better right ? well it was but only just.
Redwings bounced back with 100 plus, Fieldfares 50 plus with 300 plus Starlings for company all feeding on a soaked beet field.
Maybe the first sign of the turning of the year was a flock of 25 plus Linnet that has appeared recently.
On the usual field Skylarks numbered 12 but only 2 Meadow Pipits today , both these species have declined in numbers over the last week or so .
Best of the rest were 2 Raven, Pied Wagtail ,3 Stock Dove 100 plus Black Headed Gulls and a Brown Hare .
The weather forecast talks of east winds and the weather getting colder, is winter finally arriving ? There are a number of species that were regular in the garden last winter that are yet to show hence we are behind on the number of species that have been recorded against this time last year.
On the pastures were 400 plus Starling with just 15 plus Fieldfare , and a paltry 5 Skylark , Meadow Pipits numbered just 8 ,where have they all gone ?
Overhead the by now regular winter pair of Ravens passed over and a 2 Stock Doves zipped through.
On the floodwaters 100 plus Black Headed Gulls were feeding along with the odd Common, Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls.
The best of the rest were 2 Mistle Thrush and a flock of 100 plus Jackdaws.
Saturday was going to be better right ? well it was but only just.
Redwings bounced back with 100 plus, Fieldfares 50 plus with 300 plus Starlings for company all feeding on a soaked beet field.
Maybe the first sign of the turning of the year was a flock of 25 plus Linnet that has appeared recently.
On the usual field Skylarks numbered 12 but only 2 Meadow Pipits today , both these species have declined in numbers over the last week or so .
Best of the rest were 2 Raven, Pied Wagtail ,3 Stock Dove 100 plus Black Headed Gulls and a Brown Hare .
The weather forecast talks of east winds and the weather getting colder, is winter finally arriving ? There are a number of species that were regular in the garden last winter that are yet to show hence we are behind on the number of species that have been recorded against this time last year.
Sunday, 19 January 2014
An overdue update
The truth is during the week there was not a lot to talk about ,apart from a female Kestrel that hunted on the patch and good numbers of Redwing ,Fieldfare and Starlings that fed on pastureland.
So Saturday Willow and I were eager to see if things had got any better. Redwings were still in number with around 80 plus (it has been a good winter for these), but much smaller numbers of Fieldfares than of late.
3 Raven passed over the patch and just under the hundred Black Headed Gulls floated over the floodwaters.
As the walk progressed I felt as if a slight wiff of spring was in the air and this was confirmed with the sight of a flock of 12 Linnets, the first for a few weeks .Maybe these are the first birds moving back to their summer haunts.
On a very wet field there were 15 plus Meadow Pipits and a influx of 22 plus Pied Wagtails are these also early spring migrants ?
Just 2 Skylarks today in the usual place and 2 Mistle Thrush were seen. The /a Yellowhammer was heard again in the same spot as the other day.
A good number of Starlings are still in the vicinity with at least 450 plus on pasture. There were also 6 plus Stock Dove .
Sunday Morning was fantastic after overnight rain. It felt really spring like almost like a April morning. The usual Redwings had reduced in numbers with 38 plus and with them around 20 plus Fieldfare .The winter visiting Starlings were on the wet pasture with 300 plus or so , they like the winter Thrushes will soon be heading northwards unless winter really does arrive .
The spring like theme was evident with 13 Skylark one of which was in full song and at least 15 Pied Wagtails passed over or were feeding in the area.
The best sight however were the Meadow Pipits which numbered at least 90 plus this morning ,these birds must be now starting to move north as this is the largest count since last October .
A more unsual sight was a flock of 14 Magpie together.
The best of the rest were 2 Buzzard, 3 Stock Dove, and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker .
The species count remains the same at the moment
So Saturday Willow and I were eager to see if things had got any better. Redwings were still in number with around 80 plus (it has been a good winter for these), but much smaller numbers of Fieldfares than of late.
3 Raven passed over the patch and just under the hundred Black Headed Gulls floated over the floodwaters.
As the walk progressed I felt as if a slight wiff of spring was in the air and this was confirmed with the sight of a flock of 12 Linnets, the first for a few weeks .Maybe these are the first birds moving back to their summer haunts.
On a very wet field there were 15 plus Meadow Pipits and a influx of 22 plus Pied Wagtails are these also early spring migrants ?
Just 2 Skylarks today in the usual place and 2 Mistle Thrush were seen. The /a Yellowhammer was heard again in the same spot as the other day.
A good number of Starlings are still in the vicinity with at least 450 plus on pasture. There were also 6 plus Stock Dove .
Sunday Morning was fantastic after overnight rain. It felt really spring like almost like a April morning. The usual Redwings had reduced in numbers with 38 plus and with them around 20 plus Fieldfare .The winter visiting Starlings were on the wet pasture with 300 plus or so , they like the winter Thrushes will soon be heading northwards unless winter really does arrive .
The spring like theme was evident with 13 Skylark one of which was in full song and at least 15 Pied Wagtails passed over or were feeding in the area.
The best sight however were the Meadow Pipits which numbered at least 90 plus this morning ,these birds must be now starting to move north as this is the largest count since last October .
A more unsual sight was a flock of 14 Magpie together.
The best of the rest were 2 Buzzard, 3 Stock Dove, and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker .
The species count remains the same at the moment
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