With a pair of Jackdaws having a disco on my roof near the chimney pots at 5am it was obvious that I was meant to get up and get out on the patch ,so it was 6am when Willow and I stepped out. First bird a female Sparrowhawk that zipped over the neighbours roof , a good start. We were only just a short distance up the lane when a Grey Heron passed over heading towards the river .
With the weather having been so great yesterday I was hoping that migrants would of started to arrive and that they would be passing through .
Chiffchaffs were still at 6/7 mark and Blackcaps were in fine voice with 5 been heard. So it looked as if there had not been any influx of these two species.
As I walked over the pasture in a vain search for Wheatears they were 6 Skylarks singing and 3 Red Legged Partridge exploded from the field edges. I then heard the unmistakable rattle of the first Common Whitethroat of the year, great to have them back ,I love them . 2 pairs of Linnets were on breeding territory and Stock Doves were displaying (5 birds seen ).
Things were starting to hot up at this point and I was very surprised to hear the sound of the summer when a Cuckoo called briefly , we struggle to to hear them before May usually, (although one was seen and heard at Ashleworth yesterday), so this was an early bird for the patch .
A male Yellowhammer was singing near where I saw him last week so I have high hopes for breeding on the patch ( not me ,the Yellowhammer you understand ), it would be great to see them on a more regular basis .
As I walked on a female Kestrel hunted the field margins and 2 Buzzards flapped by ,one being chased by a gang of crows .
Willow then put up a Brown Hare but did not bother to chase it as she knows its no contest !
From a nearby wooded area a Greater Spotted Woodpecker was drumming , and in the distance the Green Woodpecker called(I did see it yesterday when it made a pit stop in the garden for some Ants off the lawn), .
We turned for home and I was greeted by the sound of a Willow Warbler singing from near the cottage, he will just be passing through ,although last year a pair were on the patch all summer, ( this will not be the case this year as the landowner has tidied up that area a great shame ).
We were near the cottage when I heard a soft call telling me that a Bullfinch was in the hedgerow , so for my Bullfinch fan they are still here !
The best of the rest were 4 Pied Wagtails (2 pairs on farm yards ).
So the patch tick list (thank you patch groupies ), now jumps to 68
Saturday, 12 April 2014
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Boooooooooooom !
I have a right to be pumped this afternoon , I went out at around 3.45pm for a quick jaunt up the road, I scanned fields for Wheatears without any luck , a couple of Swallows were seen ,one seems to be a local bird perching on wires near a breeding sight ,but in truth not a lot else ,Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were singing but that was about it, I made a quick scan up and down the river valley as I usually do and boooom there was an OSPREY drifting upriver one hell of a way to bring the 64 th species of the year to the patch ,it is also a patch tick .You just never know what will turn up here .
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Just Ticking
I had high hopes for the weekend but in the end both walks on Saturday and Sunday seemed to be a bit of a let down given the time of year .
Spring migrants are arriving but very slowly , with Chiffchaffs slowly building up numbers with 5 on Saturday and then 7 on Sunday , a similar story been seen with Blackcaps with 3 on Saturday ,then 5 on Sunday .I could not find any other warblers yet ,but they cannot be far behind.
On the pastureland Skylarks were in good voice with 8 plus singing on Sunday, but on Saturday only 2 been seen . Our flock of Meadow Pipits have departed so it was nice to see a flyover bird heading north ,then a small party of 3 on a ploughed field on Sunday, spring migrants passing through no doubt.
The ever present and ever calling but invisible Green Woodpecker was present , calling from the distance .
There was a influx of Stock Dove on Sunday with 11 ,but birds seem to be local with most of them being near suitable breeding areas.
On the raptor front ,a female Kestrel drifted across the patch on Saturday ,and the local pair of Buzzards were near their usual nesting area.
On Sunday 2 Raven passed over low calling heading north , great birds and a joy to them on such a regular basis over the local area nowadays.
A pair of Yellowhammer on the northern edge of the patch gives me hope they may try to breed nearby, its really sad that once such a common bird is in so much trouble thanks to our farming practices nowadays.
The best of the rest were 2 Pied Wagtails and 2 flyover Greylag Geese.
The local birds are getting on with the job of setting up home and or breeding .One of the first birds I saw this morning was a female Blackbird carrying food , you would find it hard to believe that they may have young already. I also saw a Jackdaw taking fur off the back of rather unconcerned cow and Great and Blue Tits taking nesting material from some bulrushes from around a small pond so despite the lack of migrants this weekend for some Spring time has arrived .
In the garden our Blue Tits are still looking like they will use the nest box ,and we are still getting visits from the local Robins. For my Bullfinch fan ,sorry I came up with a big blank again today.
Spring migrants are arriving but very slowly , with Chiffchaffs slowly building up numbers with 5 on Saturday and then 7 on Sunday , a similar story been seen with Blackcaps with 3 on Saturday ,then 5 on Sunday .I could not find any other warblers yet ,but they cannot be far behind.
On the pastureland Skylarks were in good voice with 8 plus singing on Sunday, but on Saturday only 2 been seen . Our flock of Meadow Pipits have departed so it was nice to see a flyover bird heading north ,then a small party of 3 on a ploughed field on Sunday, spring migrants passing through no doubt.
The ever present and ever calling but invisible Green Woodpecker was present , calling from the distance .
There was a influx of Stock Dove on Sunday with 11 ,but birds seem to be local with most of them being near suitable breeding areas.
On the raptor front ,a female Kestrel drifted across the patch on Saturday ,and the local pair of Buzzards were near their usual nesting area.
On Sunday 2 Raven passed over low calling heading north , great birds and a joy to them on such a regular basis over the local area nowadays.
A pair of Yellowhammer on the northern edge of the patch gives me hope they may try to breed nearby, its really sad that once such a common bird is in so much trouble thanks to our farming practices nowadays.
The best of the rest were 2 Pied Wagtails and 2 flyover Greylag Geese.
The local birds are getting on with the job of setting up home and or breeding .One of the first birds I saw this morning was a female Blackbird carrying food , you would find it hard to believe that they may have young already. I also saw a Jackdaw taking fur off the back of rather unconcerned cow and Great and Blue Tits taking nesting material from some bulrushes from around a small pond so despite the lack of migrants this weekend for some Spring time has arrived .
In the garden our Blue Tits are still looking like they will use the nest box ,and we are still getting visits from the local Robins. For my Bullfinch fan ,sorry I came up with a big blank again today.
Friday, 4 April 2014
Red Friday
Yes , a very quick update on a weekday ,whatever next ? . Normally I would wait till the weekend to fill in the midweek gaps but the bird we all wait for started to show itself for the summer with the first sighting of a Swallow on Wednesday ,that is the earliest record for the patch by a number of days and lo and behold it was followed by another one on Thursday .Both birds passed through heading north ,and both did not linger for long.
Chiffchaff numbers continue to build although still in low numbers and Blackcaps are dotted about but are yet to arrive in force.
Friday was a good day with numbers of Common Gulls heading high north east , in excitable flocks calling to each other as they passed over ,that in itself was a great sight, sometimes it is good to revel in the ordinary .
I then received a phone call and whilst leaning against an iron gate chatting away as you do my attention was drawn to a bird that appeared over the tree line , it was obvious that the bird was a Red Kite ,it passed low over heading north .We usually get April /May records of these birds ,perhaps they are migrants that have wintered else where and are on their way back to breeding areas .
The species number for the patch jumps to 63 for the year so far .I looked for some signs of Bullfinches on the way back to the cottage for my Bullfinch fan but again I lucked out .
I am going to get out really early tomorrow as I have a full day ahead and want to cover the patch early before my day starts .Lets see what turns up tomorrow .
Chiffchaff numbers continue to build although still in low numbers and Blackcaps are dotted about but are yet to arrive in force.
Friday was a good day with numbers of Common Gulls heading high north east , in excitable flocks calling to each other as they passed over ,that in itself was a great sight, sometimes it is good to revel in the ordinary .
I then received a phone call and whilst leaning against an iron gate chatting away as you do my attention was drawn to a bird that appeared over the tree line , it was obvious that the bird was a Red Kite ,it passed low over heading north .We usually get April /May records of these birds ,perhaps they are migrants that have wintered else where and are on their way back to breeding areas .
The species number for the patch jumps to 63 for the year so far .I looked for some signs of Bullfinches on the way back to the cottage for my Bullfinch fan but again I lucked out .
I am going to get out really early tomorrow as I have a full day ahead and want to cover the patch early before my day starts .Lets see what turns up tomorrow .
Sunday, 30 March 2014
Spring is springing
After a week away working in Holland and a overnight stop in Folkstone it was a week since I had been on the patch .So after Willow waking me up I was out the door at 7am ,which as the clocks went forward an hour was actually 6am.
The weather was perfect with the sun rising over the mist covered river meadows and the first bird I heard was a singing Blackcap ,a first for the year on the patch and obviously just in from his winter holidays around the Med .
Chiffchaff are arriving and on the patch today were 3 singing males ,earlier than last year as I remember . I scanned the skies for a Swallow or a Sand Martin but no luck but with the winds from the south they cannot be far away and the latter have been seen nearby .
The number of drumming Greater Spotted Woodpeckers today was a healthy 4 , also a Green Woodpecker called.
Over the river meadows a Curlew called from the mist leaden river meadows ,very evocative .
On the pastures a few Meadow Pipits passed over 7/8 some straight over due north. The same can be said of the trickle of Finches as they passed over with small parties of Linnets and Goldfinches hurrying north.
A nice surprise was a pair of Shelduck heading in the same direction , the second pair this spring. Overhead the sky was full of song as Skylarks claimed there breeding territory , all of the wintering birds having now seemingly left ,I counted at least 9 birds this morning .
The bird of the day however was a superb male Wheatear feeding on sheep pasture ,a great bird, I always marvel at these global travellers , where will he end up ,North Wales, Scotland ,Iceland, Siberia ? he just was"nt big enough to be a Greenland bird . In the field next to the Wheatear sat 2 fine Brown Hare , Willow was ushered the other way.
The best of the rest were Red Legged Partridge , 6 plus Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush.
On the garden front the pair of Blue Tits are nest building but the Robins seem to be absent . For my Bullfinch fan I am afraid there was no sight or sound today despite me going to the places they usually are, better luck next time I hope.
The weather was perfect with the sun rising over the mist covered river meadows and the first bird I heard was a singing Blackcap ,a first for the year on the patch and obviously just in from his winter holidays around the Med .
Chiffchaff are arriving and on the patch today were 3 singing males ,earlier than last year as I remember . I scanned the skies for a Swallow or a Sand Martin but no luck but with the winds from the south they cannot be far away and the latter have been seen nearby .
The number of drumming Greater Spotted Woodpeckers today was a healthy 4 , also a Green Woodpecker called.
Over the river meadows a Curlew called from the mist leaden river meadows ,very evocative .
On the pastures a few Meadow Pipits passed over 7/8 some straight over due north. The same can be said of the trickle of Finches as they passed over with small parties of Linnets and Goldfinches hurrying north.
A nice surprise was a pair of Shelduck heading in the same direction , the second pair this spring. Overhead the sky was full of song as Skylarks claimed there breeding territory , all of the wintering birds having now seemingly left ,I counted at least 9 birds this morning .
The bird of the day however was a superb male Wheatear feeding on sheep pasture ,a great bird, I always marvel at these global travellers , where will he end up ,North Wales, Scotland ,Iceland, Siberia ? he just was"nt big enough to be a Greenland bird . In the field next to the Wheatear sat 2 fine Brown Hare , Willow was ushered the other way.
The best of the rest were Red Legged Partridge , 6 plus Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush.
On the garden front the pair of Blue Tits are nest building but the Robins seem to be absent . For my Bullfinch fan I am afraid there was no sight or sound today despite me going to the places they usually are, better luck next time I hope.
Saturday, 22 March 2014
Slow Transition
As the title suggests the seasons are changing although today it felt colder than any other day of the winter.
Over the week there were a few high lights, with a flock of 25 Fieldfare heading east , and a steady through put of Meadow Pipits with numbers fluctuating on a daily basis as they pass there way north .
So Willow and I were out at 6.30 am and it was a clear sunlit morning although the wind was cold and a few squally showers passed over during the walk.
After a few days of not hearing any Chiffchaffs (last Saturdays bird had moved on ), it was pleasing to hear 2 birds this morning.
A Buzzard flapped lazily overhead and a Moorhen called from a small pond ,it remained unseen though .
On pasture Skylarks had decreased to 6 most birds in pairs now, they will attempt to breed but few if any will succeed thanks to our lovely local farmer ,he is about as sensitive to nature as a nuclear bomb.
Meadow Pipits were again to the fore with 29 been seen ,the largest flock being 15, one and twos passed over heading due north. .There was also a slight upturn in Linnet Numbers with 15 plus been seen including a flock of 12 no doubt migrants.
A calling Curlew from the river meadows was a lovely sound ,it reminds me of much wilder places that I have been .
On the raptor front apart from the Buzzard there were 2 Sparrow hawk this morning with both male and female hunting the hedgerows. A Raven was seen perching on a dead tree ,they often just seem to be passing over so it was nice to see one on the deck, they really are big birds.
The usual Green Woodpecker called in the distance ,but I never seem to see it ,also an unseen Greater Spotted Woodpecker called.
The best of the rest were a Red Legged Partridge and 6 plus Stock Dove. So on the whole pretty quiet really and with me working away this week I feel I may miss the first arrival of some species .
In the garden our pair of Blue Tits look as if they are going to use the nest box this year .It was also good to see a pair of Robins looking as if they are prospecting a nest sight within the garden ,a reader remarked how much they liked Robins and I am guilty of overlooking them ,so when you read this I will try to rectify that and let you know how they are doing on a regular basis .
Over the week there were a few high lights, with a flock of 25 Fieldfare heading east , and a steady through put of Meadow Pipits with numbers fluctuating on a daily basis as they pass there way north .
So Willow and I were out at 6.30 am and it was a clear sunlit morning although the wind was cold and a few squally showers passed over during the walk.
After a few days of not hearing any Chiffchaffs (last Saturdays bird had moved on ), it was pleasing to hear 2 birds this morning.
A Buzzard flapped lazily overhead and a Moorhen called from a small pond ,it remained unseen though .
On pasture Skylarks had decreased to 6 most birds in pairs now, they will attempt to breed but few if any will succeed thanks to our lovely local farmer ,he is about as sensitive to nature as a nuclear bomb.
Meadow Pipits were again to the fore with 29 been seen ,the largest flock being 15, one and twos passed over heading due north. .There was also a slight upturn in Linnet Numbers with 15 plus been seen including a flock of 12 no doubt migrants.
A calling Curlew from the river meadows was a lovely sound ,it reminds me of much wilder places that I have been .
On the raptor front apart from the Buzzard there were 2 Sparrow hawk this morning with both male and female hunting the hedgerows. A Raven was seen perching on a dead tree ,they often just seem to be passing over so it was nice to see one on the deck, they really are big birds.
The usual Green Woodpecker called in the distance ,but I never seem to see it ,also an unseen Greater Spotted Woodpecker called.
The best of the rest were a Red Legged Partridge and 6 plus Stock Dove. So on the whole pretty quiet really and with me working away this week I feel I may miss the first arrival of some species .
In the garden our pair of Blue Tits look as if they are going to use the nest box this year .It was also good to see a pair of Robins looking as if they are prospecting a nest sight within the garden ,a reader remarked how much they liked Robins and I am guilty of overlooking them ,so when you read this I will try to rectify that and let you know how they are doing on a regular basis .
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Sunday hat trick
The most perfect Sunday morning, bright sun, gentle breeze. So I was out with Willow at 7am, wandering up the hedgerow in the hope of finding the first summer migrant.
The first sign that spring has arrived for definite was a calling Curlew from the river meadows ,a first for the year ,I hear them as they arrive back on their breeding areas .A few pairs manage to hang on along the river.
Skylarks had decreased to 8, no doubt some birds had taken advantage of the clear night to migrate ,likewise the Meadow Pipits were at 24 plus, some perched on the wire fences maybe taking a break before moving on.
A small flock of birds caught my attention and at first they seemed to be all Linnets ,but one bird caught my attention and low and behold a fine female Reed Bunting showed herself, another year tick.
A Raven passed over eastwards and a pair of Shelduck zoomed over heading due north ,this was turning out to a good morning.
A small flock of 20 plus Lesser Black Backed Gulls fed on a sheep pasture , the rest of the vast numbers of Gulls we have being seeing have moved on.
Winter Thrush"s numbered 50 plus Fieldfare and just 7 Redwing today again most having moved on in the clear night.
As I got close to the cottage thinking why had I not managed to find at least one summer migrant a Chiffchaff burst into song ,another year tick and evidence that birds are arriving and departing as spring migration picks up.
Its gonna heat up over the next few weeks .
The patch list now stands at 59
The first sign that spring has arrived for definite was a calling Curlew from the river meadows ,a first for the year ,I hear them as they arrive back on their breeding areas .A few pairs manage to hang on along the river.
Skylarks had decreased to 8, no doubt some birds had taken advantage of the clear night to migrate ,likewise the Meadow Pipits were at 24 plus, some perched on the wire fences maybe taking a break before moving on.
A small flock of birds caught my attention and at first they seemed to be all Linnets ,but one bird caught my attention and low and behold a fine female Reed Bunting showed herself, another year tick.
A Raven passed over eastwards and a pair of Shelduck zoomed over heading due north ,this was turning out to a good morning.
A small flock of 20 plus Lesser Black Backed Gulls fed on a sheep pasture , the rest of the vast numbers of Gulls we have being seeing have moved on.
Winter Thrush"s numbered 50 plus Fieldfare and just 7 Redwing today again most having moved on in the clear night.
As I got close to the cottage thinking why had I not managed to find at least one summer migrant a Chiffchaff burst into song ,another year tick and evidence that birds are arriving and departing as spring migration picks up.
Its gonna heat up over the next few weeks .
The patch list now stands at 59
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