Perseverance paid off when Dave and I plodded along to toft shallows this morning in poor visibility managing 2 Rock Pipit and two first for the year in 2 male Wheatear along farborough bank and a Chiffchaff in toft bay before reaching the board walk just as the fog started to lift. Having seen 2 Goldcrest we silently crossed the boardwalk hoping for Treecreeper but got eyeballed by a Woodcock that burst out from underneath and circled the bay before dropping back in to toft shallows. Other sightings included Fieldfare, Curlew, 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull and male Shoveler.
At least 30 Redwing were near Birdingbury Bridge on our way to the Long Itch Diner then after breakfast we gave Wormleighton Reservoir a check finding 2 Red-legged Partridge, Buzzard, Great-spotted Woodpecker and 20 Tree Sparrow. Unfortunately the authorities have decided to pump water from the canal back in to the reservoir and its full.
Back out to the pond in the afternoon finding 2 Sand Martin another first of the year for me, Dunlin and 2 Siskin in toft bay but unfortunately it threw it down so cleared off before the roost.
Richard
Sunday, 18 March 2012
March 17th 2012
Although an elusive bugger I finally caught up with the Common Yellowthroat at as it crawled through a gap in the brambles at Rhiwderin, Gwent before moving on to Wardon, Worcestshire for the Yellow-browed Warbler on the cycle path between Berkeley Way and Skipton Cresent.
Richard
Richard
Friday, 16 March 2012
March 16th 2012
Brandon Marsh had 4 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatcher, male and female Goosander, 2 female and one male Goldeneye, 8 Snipe, Willow Tit, 2 Coal Tit and 5 Bullfinch. Among the 150+ Black-headed Gulls was one with a very noticeable salmon pink wash on chest and under parts while 2 adult summer plumage Med Gulls arrived. Arrived to late for the Bittern and Red Kite reported earlier in the day.
Richard
Richard
Thursday, 15 March 2012
March 15th 2012
After yesterdays disappointing visit in murky conditions only producing 2 Treecreeper, Great-spotted Woodpecker and 30 Meadow Pipit I did not expect much improvement in the weather this morning but it was still a kick in the teeth to wake up to thick freezing fog.
Dave and I trawled the valley waiting for the pond to open managing 3 Tree Sparrow before walking out to toft shallows and back with visibility down to 50 yards. We spent 15 minutes staring in to the gloom near the hide where a Curlew was constantly calling but could not see it on the deck and only managed poor flight views when it took off and again later when it flew over farborough bank after circling the reservoir calling. Only other birds of note were a Little Ringed Plover flying along farborough bank and a Willow Tit along the entrance road opposite the new car park.
After breakfast we searched Napton on the Hill but with the visibility still poor and a lot colder being higher up we could only find Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest and Nuthatch though there were plenty of pairs of Blue and Great Tit doing what comes naturally.
Richard
Dave and I trawled the valley waiting for the pond to open managing 3 Tree Sparrow before walking out to toft shallows and back with visibility down to 50 yards. We spent 15 minutes staring in to the gloom near the hide where a Curlew was constantly calling but could not see it on the deck and only managed poor flight views when it took off and again later when it flew over farborough bank after circling the reservoir calling. Only other birds of note were a Little Ringed Plover flying along farborough bank and a Willow Tit along the entrance road opposite the new car park.
After breakfast we searched Napton on the Hill but with the visibility still poor and a lot colder being higher up we could only find Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest and Nuthatch though there were plenty of pairs of Blue and Great Tit doing what comes naturally.
Richard
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
March 13th 2012
While photographing my moths this morning Bob tried to hide his disappointment when I mentioned I had seen an adult Iceland Gull fly through the gloom at 7:40am over Montague Road on my way back from Sainsbury’s but he lit up like an Christmas tree when it flew overhead at roof top level just after 9am. Once finished with my garden we moved on to Dave’s to check his trap out then gave the pond a 3 hour visit but the gloom remained with no signs of improving. Yesterdays waders had all decided to stay with Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover in the same locations with only another Oystercatcher on the island indicating any wader passage.
Also logged were 40+ Meadow Pipit, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 44 Goldeneye, 2 Shoveler, Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, 70 Redwing and 40 Fieldfare.
recent moths have included
Twin-spotted Quaker
Common Quaker
Amblyptilia punctidactyla
Agonopterix heracliana
Also logged were 40+ Meadow Pipit, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 44 Goldeneye, 2 Shoveler, Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, 70 Redwing and 40 Fieldfare.
recent moths have included
Twin-spotted Quaker
Common Quaker
Amblyptilia punctidactyla
Agonopterix heracliana
Monday, 12 March 2012
March 12th 2012
A misty start to the day so hung back at home photographing moths before venturing down to the pond. The place had a feel of emptiness after yesterdays heavy disturbance from the 200+ runners on a 10 mile race and the usual weekend fishing and sailing activity so we were kicked sideways when we were asked if there was any sign of the Glossy Ibis. Met with a chorus of what glossy ibis. Apparently one had turned up in dunns bay yesterday afternoon before flying off towards toft bay. If anyone has any further info on this bird John Judge or myself would appreciate details as this would be a first for the pond.
Having seen our first Little Ringed Plover of the year Bob and I were walking back from toft shallows and ended up absorbed in watching some “official” doing plant survey work in the “scrape” below farborough bank when they flushed a Jack Snipe. They must have nearly stood on it before it burst from cover and was watched flying off before coming down near pool by the entrance road to Foxely Farm. My first at the pond since October 2009.
Also present today was a Ringed Plover on the island, Oystercatcher toft shallows, adult and 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull out in the centre, 20+ Goldeneye, male and 2 female Goosander, 6 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, single Pochard, 40 Teal, 70 Fieldfare, 400 Starling, 10 Redwing, 40 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting, Green Woodpecker and a lone Buzzard.
Richard
Having seen our first Little Ringed Plover of the year Bob and I were walking back from toft shallows and ended up absorbed in watching some “official” doing plant survey work in the “scrape” below farborough bank when they flushed a Jack Snipe. They must have nearly stood on it before it burst from cover and was watched flying off before coming down near pool by the entrance road to Foxely Farm. My first at the pond since October 2009.
Also present today was a Ringed Plover on the island, Oystercatcher toft shallows, adult and 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull out in the centre, 20+ Goldeneye, male and 2 female Goosander, 6 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, single Pochard, 40 Teal, 70 Fieldfare, 400 Starling, 10 Redwing, 40 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting, Green Woodpecker and a lone Buzzard.
Richard
Sunday, 11 March 2012
March 11th 2012
3 Shoveler, 20 Meadow Pipit, Fieldfare and a 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull was all we could manage from the pond in a 90 minute visit while the spring sunshine produced Brimstone in Marton village, 2 more Brimstones and 2 Comma butterfly’s in Wappenbury Wood along with a unidentified white species, also Muntjac Deer, 8 Buzzard, 3 Great-spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit and 10+ Nuthatch.
Mid afternoon a Red Kite drifted over the garden heading east mobbed by 2 Sparrowhawk while both Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone made brief appearances.
richard
Mid afternoon a Red Kite drifted over the garden heading east mobbed by 2 Sparrowhawk while both Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone made brief appearances.
richard
March 10th 2012
Last night was mild so my moth trap had 3 Hebrew Character, 2 Common Quaker, Pale Brindle Beauty, Satellite, 3 Grey Shouldered-knot and my earliest Brindled Pug while Dave managed 3 Agonopterix scopariella, 4 Amblyptilia punctidactyla, 2 Dotted Border, 2 Common Quaker and a Hebrew Character.
Draycote Water and the valley were shrouded in fog this morning so continued on to Napton on the Hill where conditions were a little better. Highlight of a thorough search was my first Chiffchaff of the year in the churchyard and 4 Raven. On my return a Little Owl was at Shuckburgh and a very high Peregrine heading east between Calcutt and Broadwell. Also seen were 2 Tree Sparrows, 8 Bullfinch, 14 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Buzzard and 3 Sparrowhawk.
Called in on the pond but it was heaving with fishermen and runners so did not stay long, just 25 Goldeneye out in the centre and 2 Siskin in toft shallows worth noting.
Richard
Draycote Water and the valley were shrouded in fog this morning so continued on to Napton on the Hill where conditions were a little better. Highlight of a thorough search was my first Chiffchaff of the year in the churchyard and 4 Raven. On my return a Little Owl was at Shuckburgh and a very high Peregrine heading east between Calcutt and Broadwell. Also seen were 2 Tree Sparrows, 8 Bullfinch, 14 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Buzzard and 3 Sparrowhawk.
Called in on the pond but it was heaving with fishermen and runners so did not stay long, just 25 Goldeneye out in the centre and 2 Siskin in toft shallows worth noting.
Richard
Friday, 9 March 2012
March 9th 2012
A disastrous day out photographically when I travelled up to Stafford to watch 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and 46201 Princess Elizabeth steam through as a double header with two supporting coaches on there way north to Carnforth from Tyseley only for a passenger to stand in front of me just as I clicked a 11 shot burst so too late to get another shot off. I returned disgruntled to Rugby to await the passing of 44932 on its way south but unfortunately just as she arrived an over enthusiastic bunch of Vikings on a Hen party jumped me so another shot ruined. Only bird worth noting was a Little Egret on the river near Shugborough tunnel between Rugeley and Stafford.
This evening’s sky was more rewarding with Venus and Jupiter close together and you can just make out the smudge of Comet C/2009 P1 Garradd with the aid of bins as she passes Ursa Minor at 7th magnitude though don’t blame me if you strain your neck. Venus and Jupiter become even closer over the weekend.
Richard
This evening’s sky was more rewarding with Venus and Jupiter close together and you can just make out the smudge of Comet C/2009 P1 Garradd with the aid of bins as she passes Ursa Minor at 7th magnitude though don’t blame me if you strain your neck. Venus and Jupiter become even closer over the weekend.
Richard
March 8th 2012
We had a peregrine fest this morning at the pond. The first a small individual flew north over toft bay flushing all the duck and 10 minutes later as some of the duck tried to return a large female took out a male Pochard in mid-air. She struggled to keep alight with her bounty and just managed to make the shoreline of grays barn with the duck still alive though after a couple of hard pecks she finished it off and started feeding. A couple of Buzzards successfully flushed her off a couple of times but she remained close and eventually saw them off. Later from farnborough bank 2 more Peregrine (differences in plumages with one having a primary feather missing from left wing) were hunting over the valley.
The only other highlight of our visit was the dramatic increase in Goldeneye numbers with 88 counted (32 male) though once the peregrines and fishermen appeared they dispersed.
Also noted were 14 Goosander, 36 Pochard, 26 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 40 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 18, Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawk and 30 Meadow Pipit.
Dave and I had a Barn Owl perched on Lawford Heath on our way back from the pub this evening.
Richard
The only other highlight of our visit was the dramatic increase in Goldeneye numbers with 88 counted (32 male) though once the peregrines and fishermen appeared they dispersed.
Also noted were 14 Goosander, 36 Pochard, 26 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 40 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 18, Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawk and 30 Meadow Pipit.
Dave and I had a Barn Owl perched on Lawford Heath on our way back from the pub this evening.
Richard
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
March 7th 2012
Draycote Water was wet and yuk so failed to find anything of note so moved on even before the fishermen arrived to Brandon Marsh where we had a male and female Goosander arrive along with 65 Golden Plover in the pouring rain which were part of a flock of over 300 GPs circling in the distance. Also present were 4 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatcher, Kingfisher, 2 Snipe, 2 Goldeneye and 5 Cettie’s Warblers calling.
Richard
Richard
March 6th 2012
The beautiful sunshine and clear sky’s disappeared as Bob and I arrived at the pond too thick fog which took well over an hour to clear. There were 8 Siskin and 30 Redwing in toft shallows along with 5 Long-tailed Tits while my slow walk back produced a Snipe flushed by the 30 or so fishermen clearing scrub out of toft bay ready for the start of the fishing season tomorrow.
Also of interest were 26 Buzzard with 14 acting as if they were local birds while the rest were heading north in ones and twos. Very few duck around with 46 Teal, 26 Wigeon, 20 Goldeneye and 10 Gadwall worth a mention. Six Golden Plover (some in summer plumage)flew over the new car park heading north as we were leaving. Water levels rising slowly
Richard
Also of interest were 26 Buzzard with 14 acting as if they were local birds while the rest were heading north in ones and twos. Very few duck around with 46 Teal, 26 Wigeon, 20 Goldeneye and 10 Gadwall worth a mention. Six Golden Plover (some in summer plumage)flew over the new car park heading north as we were leaving. Water levels rising slowly
Richard
March 5th 2012
I forgot what dipping felt like – a long over due trip to Rhiwderin, Gwent for the long staying first winter male Common Yellowthroat but the bird failed to appear after five hours . Managed to salvage something out of the day with a detour on the way home producing Merlin, Short-eared Owl, 2 Dipper, 4 Red Grouse and 3 Stonechat. Bloody throat appeared 15 minutes after we left – bugger
Richard
Richard
Sunday, 4 March 2012
March 4th 2012
A wet start to the day and after our recent illnesses we had no intention of getting soaked so spent an hour at the pond sheltering by the visitor centre and were lucky enough find a Rock Pipit feeding with 30 Meadow Pipit by the fishing pontoon before clearing off for breakfast
Unfortunately by the time we arrived at Brandon the temperature had dropped dramatically when the wind changed to the north making conditions uncomfortable, still we managed 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, Dunlin, 190 Golden Plover 45 Snipe and the male Pintail.
On the way home the 100+ Mute Swan were still near Bretford and a look at Limestone Hall and Rookery Farm produced 2 Grey Partridge and 3 Corn Bunting.
Richard
Unfortunately by the time we arrived at Brandon the temperature had dropped dramatically when the wind changed to the north making conditions uncomfortable, still we managed 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, Dunlin, 190 Golden Plover 45 Snipe and the male Pintail.
On the way home the 100+ Mute Swan were still near Bretford and a look at Limestone Hall and Rookery Farm produced 2 Grey Partridge and 3 Corn Bunting.
Richard
Saturday, 3 March 2012
March 3rd 2012
I trawled the Grandborough valley managing 2 Short-eared Owls, 8 Buzzard and 2 Red-legged partridge before popping in to town where there was a Nuthatch in Caldecot Park. I had intended to join the regulars to do the roost but couldn’t refuse the invitation from friends in the sailing club so managed Iceland, Glaucous and Med Gull from the comfort of an armchair with a beer in hand – magic.
Richard
Richard
Friday, 2 March 2012
2nd March 2012
Went over to focus optics to collect my rebuilt bins before meeting up with Colin at Brandon Marsh where we had 20 Snipe, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Buzzard, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Shelduck and 2 Pintail.
Bob didn't have much this morning at the pond but managed this nice image of Teal
Richard
Bob didn't have much this morning at the pond but managed this nice image of Teal
Richard
Thursday, 1 March 2012
1st March 2012
We delayed our visit to the pond but still had to wait till mid-day before the visibility improved when gorgeous sunshine finally broke through and burnt off the morning fog. Unfortunately all we could find was a male Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, 30+ Goldeneye, 2 Buzzard, 10 Meadow Pipit, 100 Fieldfare and 30 Redwing. Tried our luck on Lawford Heath for white winged gulls but though we eventually had good views of the larger gulls resting nothing could be found apart from a Yellow-legged Gull adult and 4 Buzzard going over and a brief view of a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly.
Richard
Richard
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
February 29th 2012
At long last there’s light at the end of whats been a shitty tunnel thanks to blood posioning.
Bob came round to find out what to write on my headstone and while chatting we were entertained by the feeding antics of my Yellow-necked Mouse which has been active since this mild spell started.
Not surprisingly the moths have benefited from the weather with 14 species recorded since the 21st bringing my total year count for the garden to nineteen.
Grey Shouldered-Knot
Amblyptilia punctidactyla
Hebrew Character
I needed some fresh air so persuaded Bob that if he wasn’t going to walk around the pond I could manage a short walk so arrived just before 11am and the first bird he found was a partial summer plumage Med Gull in biggen bay that moved later to toft bay where he managed a record shot before it left at mid-day to the east and proberbly settled with other gulls on toft farm near Toft Hill.
Med Gull by Bob Hazel and though it looks like the same bird that was a Brandon Marsh yesterday apprently that was seen again today at the same time as this bird.
While watching the gull the first of 2 Rock Pipits appeared followed by the appearance of 25 Meadow Pipits with 20 Gadwall off farborough bank. From farborough spit we watched 2 Curlew circle the reservoir a number of times before flying off east and in toft bay there were 20+ Goldeneye, 40 Pochard, 3 Shoveler while our walk back produced Oystercatcher, adult Yellow-legged Gull 10 Fieldfare, Redwing and 2 Buzzard but no sign of any pipits.
Arrived home toatlly buggered just as a Peregrine flew over the garden mobbed by the local corvids.
I only caught up with the space shed once when it appeared over the crescent moon flanked by Venus and Jupiter last week - these two planets should dominate the month ahead along with Mars so keep um peeled.
Richard
Bob came round to find out what to write on my headstone and while chatting we were entertained by the feeding antics of my Yellow-necked Mouse which has been active since this mild spell started.
Not surprisingly the moths have benefited from the weather with 14 species recorded since the 21st bringing my total year count for the garden to nineteen.
Grey Shouldered-Knot
Amblyptilia punctidactyla
Hebrew Character
I needed some fresh air so persuaded Bob that if he wasn’t going to walk around the pond I could manage a short walk so arrived just before 11am and the first bird he found was a partial summer plumage Med Gull in biggen bay that moved later to toft bay where he managed a record shot before it left at mid-day to the east and proberbly settled with other gulls on toft farm near Toft Hill.
Med Gull by Bob Hazel and though it looks like the same bird that was a Brandon Marsh yesterday apprently that was seen again today at the same time as this bird.
While watching the gull the first of 2 Rock Pipits appeared followed by the appearance of 25 Meadow Pipits with 20 Gadwall off farborough bank. From farborough spit we watched 2 Curlew circle the reservoir a number of times before flying off east and in toft bay there were 20+ Goldeneye, 40 Pochard, 3 Shoveler while our walk back produced Oystercatcher, adult Yellow-legged Gull 10 Fieldfare, Redwing and 2 Buzzard but no sign of any pipits.
Arrived home toatlly buggered just as a Peregrine flew over the garden mobbed by the local corvids.
I only caught up with the space shed once when it appeared over the crescent moon flanked by Venus and Jupiter last week - these two planets should dominate the month ahead along with Mars so keep um peeled.
Richard
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
22nd February 2012
Not birding for awhile.
Have updated the last part of my Gambian Holiday and three of Paul Cashmore vids below
Giant Kingfisher
Blue-bellied Roller
Greyish Eagle Owl
Richard
Have updated the last part of my Gambian Holiday and three of Paul Cashmore vids below
Giant Kingfisher
Blue-bellied Roller
Greyish Eagle Owl
Richard
Sunday, 19 February 2012
February 19th 2012
A light snow shower had cleared overnight and the temperature dropped as we trawled around Lawford Heath at first light hoping for owls but all we could find were 200 Fieldfare, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Buzzard, 3 Corn Bunting and 600+ Rooks.
Pushed on to Bretford and checked the swan flock out – all 100 were Mute but not an easy viewing location then it was on to Draycote Water.
Why bother I hear you ask and after 22 runners, 16 walkers, 8 bikers in 30 minutes and just 10 Gadwall and 20 Goldeneye to show for our effort we should have asked that question ourselves.
A text from Keith regarding a Bittern at Brandon showing NOW just as we arrived at the Long Itch Diner meant we had to make an executive decision and the breakfast won so it was a couple of contented stomachs that arrived 40 minutes later and it was still showing. Smug or what.
Not brilliant views but later on we saw it from the opposite hide where it could be seen preening perched on a platform of reeds. Met up with Keith, Jeff and Max and our visit turned out to be the best of the year with Fridays Pintail male joined by a female, Cetties Warbler, 2 Water Rail, 2 Snipe, Kingfisher, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Shelduck, Siskin, Treecreeper and Nuthatch.
Richard
Pushed on to Bretford and checked the swan flock out – all 100 were Mute but not an easy viewing location then it was on to Draycote Water.
Why bother I hear you ask and after 22 runners, 16 walkers, 8 bikers in 30 minutes and just 10 Gadwall and 20 Goldeneye to show for our effort we should have asked that question ourselves.
A text from Keith regarding a Bittern at Brandon showing NOW just as we arrived at the Long Itch Diner meant we had to make an executive decision and the breakfast won so it was a couple of contented stomachs that arrived 40 minutes later and it was still showing. Smug or what.
Not brilliant views but later on we saw it from the opposite hide where it could be seen preening perched on a platform of reeds. Met up with Keith, Jeff and Max and our visit turned out to be the best of the year with Fridays Pintail male joined by a female, Cetties Warbler, 2 Water Rail, 2 Snipe, Kingfisher, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Shelduck, Siskin, Treecreeper and Nuthatch.
Richard
Saturday, 18 February 2012
February 18th 2012
African Thrush by Colin Potter
Finally started to update my Gambian blog see January 24th.
Here comes that shed again
Richard
February 17th 2012
Out briefly with Dave but he was suffering from a cold so did not stay out long. A look at the Pintail at Brandon Marsh, 60+ Swans at Bretford and 2 Corn Bunting on the heath.
Richard
Richard
February 16th 2012
Draycote has become a war zone - construction work taking place in three seperate areas, the Fishing Garage home to our House Martin Coloney has been demolished and yesterday every man and his dog from the BBC, ST and the Eviromental Agency were wandering around filming for local TV re-garding the potential drought we may face this summer resulting in very poor duck numbers today. Luckily 110 Pochard still remain while 7 Shoveler were passing through. Toft shallows had 8 Siskin and the island a 3rd year Yellow-legged Gull.
Richard
Richard
February 15th 2011
Decided to give the pond a miss and chose to walk to onley Fields managing a Tawny Owl near Gorse Farm and a distant Little Owl down Onley Lane near the southern entrance to Ashlawh Cutting. Unfortunately very few passerines around.
Richard
Richard
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
February 14th 2012
Early Moth joined the Spring Usher in the trap and at long last we had decent visibility for today’s visit to the pond while the continuing thaw encouraged some passerine movement.
Counting duck is becoming a headache as they are getting hammered by the disturbance on draycote bank, not helped by the purification and construction plant re-routed via toft bay so are flighty as the traffic trundles pass.
Certainly looks as if Teal and Wigeon numbers are still improving, Pochard about the same and Goldeneye may be well over 60 with at least 45 in toft bay while a few others were dotted around the reservoir, there were 2 male Shoveler and at least 12 Goosander. No sign of yesterdays Pintail.
Over 500 Fieldfare and a 100 Redwing were feeding in the fields between toft bank and the Southam Road while between toft shallows and the M45 embankment there were 11 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Treecreeper, Great-spotted Woodpecker and many Blue Tit while on my way back 8 Golden Plover flew west, 35 Meadow Pipit on farborough bank and a smart looking male Peregrine flew over.
Richard
Counting duck is becoming a headache as they are getting hammered by the disturbance on draycote bank, not helped by the purification and construction plant re-routed via toft bay so are flighty as the traffic trundles pass.
Certainly looks as if Teal and Wigeon numbers are still improving, Pochard about the same and Goldeneye may be well over 60 with at least 45 in toft bay while a few others were dotted around the reservoir, there were 2 male Shoveler and at least 12 Goosander. No sign of yesterdays Pintail.
Over 500 Fieldfare and a 100 Redwing were feeding in the fields between toft bank and the Southam Road while between toft shallows and the M45 embankment there were 11 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Treecreeper, Great-spotted Woodpecker and many Blue Tit while on my way back 8 Golden Plover flew west, 35 Meadow Pipit on farborough bank and a smart looking male Peregrine flew over.
Richard
Monday, 13 February 2012
February 13th 2012
A male Pintail surprisingly walked out of toft bay, Draycote Water to feed past the hide with a group of Mallard otherwise Bob and I struggled though there was an overnight increase in Teal and Wigeon. A Yellow-legged Gull adult on the island, 14 Goosander and 6 Siskin was the best we could manage.
I was bored so took this and very few birds on the feeder.
Meanwhile I have received enquiry’s about the progress of my picture, the Space Shed and Steam Trains. Unfortunately I have not had time to paint since I arrived back from my holiday as my Gambian Diary is taking longer than anticipated so here’s how it looks at the moment.
No Steam Excursions due through the patch at the moment and the “shed” is just starting to perform its evening fly over’s but good viewing passes not until the 20th so will post times later in week.
My first moth for nearly a month has just appeared – Spring Usher.
Richard
I was bored so took this and very few birds on the feeder.
Meanwhile I have received enquiry’s about the progress of my picture, the Space Shed and Steam Trains. Unfortunately I have not had time to paint since I arrived back from my holiday as my Gambian Diary is taking longer than anticipated so here’s how it looks at the moment.
No Steam Excursions due through the patch at the moment and the “shed” is just starting to perform its evening fly over’s but good viewing passes not until the 20th so will post times later in week.
My first moth for nearly a month has just appeared – Spring Usher.
Richard
Sunday, 12 February 2012
February 12th 2012
This morning was a balmy -2c and climbing compared to yesterdays numbing -13c on the Nene Washes as Dave and I trawled the Grandborough Valley this morning. The highlights were a brock Badger caught in the car headlights at Woolscott for 2 minutes, Tawny Owl near Willoughby, 8 Buzzard loafing on telegraph poles, 6 Tree Sparrow on the Basaely smallholding (no sign of Thursdays Jack Snipe) and 6 Kestrels.
Visibility at the pond wasn’t brilliant while we walked out to farborough spit though there was an obvious increase in Gadwll (35), Pochard (130) and Goldeneye (45) numbers since my last visit. Other birds of note included a Buzzard feeding on a dead gull on the island, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull among the many gulls post roosting on the frozen surface of toft and parts of biggen bay, 20 + Linnet and 10+ Goosander.
Biggest surprise of the day was at Brandon Marsh where a Red Admiral fluttered past us chased by Dunnocks just after we had missed a Bittern by seconds (many thanks for the heads up Conservation Team) while a wander around the west and east marsh produced 5 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Tit, 2 Goldcrest, Green Sandpiper and at least 8 Jays. The feeding station by the visitors centre produced 2 Coal Tit and 2 Nuthatch.
On our way home there were at least 80 + swans in two groups at Bretford but traffic flow did not allow us a closer inspection and afternoon visitors to my garden included Rook, Yellowhammer and Common Gull.
Richard
Visibility at the pond wasn’t brilliant while we walked out to farborough spit though there was an obvious increase in Gadwll (35), Pochard (130) and Goldeneye (45) numbers since my last visit. Other birds of note included a Buzzard feeding on a dead gull on the island, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull among the many gulls post roosting on the frozen surface of toft and parts of biggen bay, 20 + Linnet and 10+ Goosander.
Biggest surprise of the day was at Brandon Marsh where a Red Admiral fluttered past us chased by Dunnocks just after we had missed a Bittern by seconds (many thanks for the heads up Conservation Team) while a wander around the west and east marsh produced 5 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Tit, 2 Goldcrest, Green Sandpiper and at least 8 Jays. The feeding station by the visitors centre produced 2 Coal Tit and 2 Nuthatch.
On our way home there were at least 80 + swans in two groups at Bretford but traffic flow did not allow us a closer inspection and afternoon visitors to my garden included Rook, Yellowhammer and Common Gull.
Richard
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
February 8th 2012
Today's visit was very disappointing - freezing me nuts off for only a Sparrowhawk carrying a recently caught dove, 70 Pochard, 7 Goosander, 10 Linnets, 2 Shoveler, Dunlin, 2 Graylag and and a Fox worth noting. Signs are up in country park warning visitors to obey all on site instructions in regards to the construction work along Draycote Bank.
The garden has fared better with visits from Reed Bunting, Willow Tit and Treecreeper.
Richard
The garden has fared better with visits from Reed Bunting, Willow Tit and Treecreeper.
Richard
Sunday, 5 February 2012
February 5th 2012
Flecknoe Road, Grandborough Valley
A week ago I was on a canoe going up the Gambian River with friends sweating buckets while today was the total opposite with 3 inches of overnight snow bringing tranquility to the patch accept for the chattering of teeth.
Despite the effort we put into the Grandborough Valley at first light we only managed 7 Buzzards and 11 Tree Sparrow with no sign of any owls though we did have a Fox, 6 Hare and 4 distant deer species.
Brandon Marsh was iced up with a small amount of open water. The best here was 4 Goldcrest and 5 Snipe while Lawford Heath had 3 Tree Sparrow.
East Marsh, Brandon Marsh
Friday, 3 February 2012
February 3rd 2012
Had to take my bins and Dave’s scope to the Focus Optics doctor and they have been hospitalized in Austria and Germany for life saving operations so it’s back to eye balling birding for me. On our way back we had a Coal Tit and Jay at Brandon while eating to keep warm and a Corn Bunting on the heath along with 2 Buzzards.
Richard
Richard
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