Slow Day

As the above says , it was a slow day on the patch, in fact to be honest its been a slow spring with some very noticable absentees or if not absent only present in low numbers. I saw that on the Portland website Whitethroats appear very scarce , the same could be said of our local House Martins. On the log today were 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 BLACKCAP, 4 LINNET,just 1 WHEATEAR in the sheep fields, 5 BUZZARDS, 4 Skylark, the GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER at it"s nest tree. Fantastic views of a male CUCKOO on telephone wires , I have yet to hear him call yet.6 Swallow over, a male Sparrowhawk soaring overhead.In the top fields 3 PIED WAGTAILS were kept company by a rather smart WHITE WAGTAIL. Lets hope that the late arrivals are just that and not a sign of a greater problem.

Comings and Goings

Ok ,so the plan was up early and out to see if today could be as productive as yesterday , I did"nt quite manage to get out as early as I wanted and the walk was delayed by the arrival of Buster the dog who is a complete pain in the arse . The owner is a lovely person but has no control over the dog. So when Willow and myself got going it was evident that there had been some departures and arrivals overnight. 5 BLACKCAP, 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 WILLOW WARBLER, male REDSTART,COMMON WHITETHROAT made the log this morning and the back up cast of male Yellowhammer,at least 4 singing LINNET, 4 singing SKYLARK , GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 3 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, 3 STOCK DOVE, were nice additions. There were still 4 PIED WAGTAILS in the top fields along with 2 male WHEATEAR ,its been a good spring for these so far.There were at least 8 BUZZARDS around along with just 2 SWALLOW over north. But a big suprise was a displaying LAPWING over the top fields, it flew off towards Ashleworth after 10 minutes so who knows , I doubt that they would breed here but who knows ? ,. The final bird of the walk was a stunning YELLOW WAGTAIL low over a field , it dropped into the long grass , I think they bred last year so lets hope they do so again this year. There is still a lack of Whitethroats , so if they are coming it had better be soon as I am getting a little concerned .

After The Rain

Well since the drought was annouced it has just poured down! today was a mixture of heavy rain and hail ,so when I went out it was with not much hope of seeing anything at all but it turned out to be bloody fantastic. As soon as the rain etc had passed over it turned out to a fantastic evening and it was evident that migrants had somehow made it through. 8 SWALLOW north, in the hedgerows 3 CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, a male REDSTART in brief song. A nice suprise was a male CUCKOO being harrased by the local CROWS. In the top fields were 8 male WHEATEAR ,a patch record, fantastic ! Around the margins were 2 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE,BUZZARD, female KESTREL, male SPARROWHAWK, 4 STOCK DOVE,3 SKYLARK, and 6 LINNET .Wagtails continue to pass through with 9 PIED WAGTAILS in the top fields. The highlight for me was the sighting of the first HOUSE MARTIN over the village.I am full of optimism for tommorrow so up early am to see whats about .See you tommorrow.

Highs and Lows

The weather here is typical April , showers, windy and generally unsettled, as predicted this has stalled migration to a lesser or greater degree, with Whitethroat and House Martin still absent in the local vicinity( although I have seen both nearby,but not on the patch). However a circuit of the area still produced a few birds, the stars being 4 stonking male WHEATEARS , in the top fields. We still have 2 singing WILLOW WARBLERS , 3 singing CHIFFCHAFF, 3 singing BLACKCAP, 3 singing SKYLARK.5 STOCK DOVE, a male YELLOWHAMMER, 6 LINNET over, a flock of 8 PIED WAGTAIL. In the blustery conditions just 2 BUZZARD today, a RAVEN low over the fields, a male GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER near to a likely nesting hole. The numbers were provided by 130 plus LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS on the sheep fields. Lets hope I can bring some better news in the next few days ,the weather is supposed to calm down by Sunday .

Highs and Lows

Well today must rank as the latter, these cold winds will be holding up any new migrants , at least that is what I am telling myself as there is still no sign of our local Whitethroats and House Martins. On the upside the WILLOW WARBLER continues to sing as does CHIFFCHAFF and BLACKCAP. A single SWALLOW over the garden was nice as was the local GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.Around 6 BUZZARDS were about , with a superb display flight put on by one pair.A single MEADOW PIPIT was with a small flock of 9 PIED WAGTAIL (probable migrants?) . With the weather looking to more Autumnal than Springlike for the rest of the week it will hard going over the next few days, but who knows what will turn up ?

After the lords Mayor show.

After the excessës of yesterday it was a bit like after the lords mayors show today. I did not get out until 10 am having been to Ashleworth , plenty of action there , the same cannot be said of here.A singing BLACKCAP was a nice start,a bit further up the road a SAND MARTIN was a nice suprise,3 BUZZARD generally being given a kicking by the local crows, a couple of singing SKYLARK, PIED WAGTAIL over, and just 3 MEADOW PIPIT today the rest having moved on .The nicest suprise came when a CURLEW was heard calling from the direction of Staunton, 2 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE,1 singing WILLOW WARBLER and a singing CHIFFCHAFF completed todays line up. Down the road at Ashleworth I managed to see the first REDSTART and WHITETHROAT of the year and it was heaving in WILLOW WARBLER , CHIFFCHAFF, and BLACKCAP. The next few weeks are going to be great, so remember to keep your eyes and ears peeled .

MIGRANTS STILL MOVING

Went for a quick dash around early evening and found the earlier Yellow Wagtail ( or is this another one !)with a flock of 40 plus Pied Wagtail , also 20 plus Meadow Pipit . Both Willow and my wife were not impressed , but I tried to export some of my enthuiasm all the same A House Martin over Tewkesbury was my first trhis spring so our local birds can"t be far away .