I took a good walk around today. The Reservoir was quite quiet apart one couple and their three dogs who never stopped barking the whole time they were there, I was glad to get to the quieter area to give my ears a rest. There wasn’t too much on the main reservoir but last night in a brief visit there had been two Shoveler and five Teal both first for the year for me at the Reservoir.
There were obviously good numbers of Chiffchaff as I counted at least 12 in the sheltered areas out of the cold north wind. I did see two Sand Martin but they went straight through.
In the Sheep Paddock there were two Tree Sparrow and around a dozen Yellowhammer and four Reed Bunting. Although, last night there were at least 20 Yellowhammer and I saw three Linnet.
Saturday, 21 March 2015
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Thursday 19th March
At a loose end for a couple of hours the Captain and I decided to pay a albeit brief visit to Ladywalk. It proved to be an inspired choice of venue. From the main hide the Curlew was still present with good numbers of Goosander and a Water Rail.
We made our way towards Hide B where we saw a Willow Tit as we were watching that a Woodcock flew overhead! We then searched the area where I had seen a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker earlier in the week. Before long the bird started drumming and I picked it up as it drummed on a small stump. The guy we were with (apologies for not introducing myself) put his scope on it and offered us a sighter. The he started to film the bird, cheekily I asked if I could drop my phone on it for a record shot of sorts. He agreed (see results).
All in all a very good hours birding.
We made our way towards Hide B where we saw a Willow Tit as we were watching that a Woodcock flew overhead! We then searched the area where I had seen a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker earlier in the week. Before long the bird started drumming and I picked it up as it drummed on a small stump. The guy we were with (apologies for not introducing myself) put his scope on it and offered us a sighter. The he started to film the bird, cheekily I asked if I could drop my phone on it for a record shot of sorts. He agreed (see results).
All in all a very good hours birding.
 |
| Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male) |
I cannot remember ever seeing three different Lesser Spots on consecutive days!
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
Wednesday 18 March
I though with the sun up and the temperatures on the rise I would take a break from painting a 15 bloody, glass panelled door, which after two coats looks worse than it did when I started, I did tell her, but she wouldn’t listen!
Anyway, there was a report of Lesser Spot at the reservoir yesterday, and feeling lucky after seeing said species yesterday at Ladwalk I took my time. There was a good variety of birds with pairs of Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest and Nuthatch all looking like they might grace the reservoir with breeding attempts.
Around the back of the small pool I dallied and amazingly a female Lesser Spot gave itself up and I got good views before it disappeared deeper into the small copse. I have had high hopes for what I call the “Sheep Paddock” which lies north-east of the reservoir on the other side of the river. At first glance it seemed quiet. As I made my way up the field I picked up a Wheatear in the top of the hedge off too my left, it quickly dropped from view but I was well chuffed. Then at the top of the field off to the right was another Wheatear atop a fence post, I was surprised to say the least when a male Stonechat landed next to it.
As I was walking I started to make my way home seeing Skylark then a pair of Raven. So all in all a good day.
Anyway, there was a report of Lesser Spot at the reservoir yesterday, and feeling lucky after seeing said species yesterday at Ladwalk I took my time. There was a good variety of birds with pairs of Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest and Nuthatch all looking like they might grace the reservoir with breeding attempts.
Around the back of the small pool I dallied and amazingly a female Lesser Spot gave itself up and I got good views before it disappeared deeper into the small copse. I have had high hopes for what I call the “Sheep Paddock” which lies north-east of the reservoir on the other side of the river. At first glance it seemed quiet. As I made my way up the field I picked up a Wheatear in the top of the hedge off too my left, it quickly dropped from view but I was well chuffed. Then at the top of the field off to the right was another Wheatear atop a fence post, I was surprised to say the least when a male Stonechat landed next to it.
As I was walking I started to make my way home seeing Skylark then a pair of Raven. So all in all a good day.
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Tuesday 17 March
Exactly five months since I joined the ranks of the unemployed/retired and it has flown by. Yesterday (Monday) I arrived early at Middleton Lakes RSPB. It was good but bloody cold, we might not have had much of a winter but the shorts are staying pack away at the moment.
Bird wise it was good with a smattering of waders, not major but not to be sniffed at. A distant Godwit I found on Jubilee Wetland turned out to be a Black-tailed when someone dropped a scope on it. It was feeding in deep water so the leg length wasn’t obvious. There was also Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher and 4 Redshank.
Today I had to drop the car at the garage and so I walked along the river and spent the day at Ladywalk. There were good numbers of Chiffchaff singing with at least ten birds, but they may well have been the birds that have been there all winter.
On the Reserve there was a Curlew, Redshank and two Oystercatcher. I also saw a Willow Tit outside B hide and I then made my way to Riverwalk hide where I met Bob Duckhouse. Another gentleman in the hide said he could hear Lesser Spot drumming. I found out that Bob and I have something in common – we are both deaf! I already knew that I was! I could vaguely make out something distantly so after spending a further five minutes discussing what car or cars to get in Shetland we both decided that we had better check out this drumming! As we made our way around, it started again this time two things 1. We were closer, I could hear it; and 2. It was Lesser Spotted Woodpecker as species I hadn’t seen so far this year.
Another 100 yards and the drumming was really close it could only be coming from a couple of trees then I picked up a female as it flew from one perch to another. The drumming continued but I just could not connect with the male, but with time pressing I had to move on, but left satisfied.
Bird wise it was good with a smattering of waders, not major but not to be sniffed at. A distant Godwit I found on Jubilee Wetland turned out to be a Black-tailed when someone dropped a scope on it. It was feeding in deep water so the leg length wasn’t obvious. There was also Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher and 4 Redshank.
Today I had to drop the car at the garage and so I walked along the river and spent the day at Ladywalk. There were good numbers of Chiffchaff singing with at least ten birds, but they may well have been the birds that have been there all winter.
On the Reserve there was a Curlew, Redshank and two Oystercatcher. I also saw a Willow Tit outside B hide and I then made my way to Riverwalk hide where I met Bob Duckhouse. Another gentleman in the hide said he could hear Lesser Spot drumming. I found out that Bob and I have something in common – we are both deaf! I already knew that I was! I could vaguely make out something distantly so after spending a further five minutes discussing what car or cars to get in Shetland we both decided that we had better check out this drumming! As we made our way around, it started again this time two things 1. We were closer, I could hear it; and 2. It was Lesser Spotted Woodpecker as species I hadn’t seen so far this year.
Another 100 yards and the drumming was really close it could only be coming from a couple of trees then I picked up a female as it flew from one perch to another. The drumming continued but I just could not connect with the male, but with time pressing I had to move on, but left satisfied.
Monday, 16 March 2015
Sunday 15th March
A couple of walks around the Reservoir today, there were still five Sand Martin and a couple of Chiffchaff. The Wigeon flock this winter has peaked at one! It is still there. Most of the Pochard have started to disperse but the dozen or so Gadwall that have been present most of the winter are still there.
Saturday, 14 March 2015
Saturday 14th March
I spent the day at Draycote Water yesterday seeing my target Iceland Gull (2) and Glaucous Gull all adults. It was a good day and we followed our usual routine of walking around twice. I though there would be a good chance of Wheatear or Sand Martin but saw neither, there were however around 6 Chiffchaff.
I received a text whilst there to say there were around a dozen Sand Martin and a Stonechat at Shustoke – typical.
Anyway, this morning I took a walk around the reservoir, the two Oystercatcher where present but took flight as the activity started at the sailing club. Over the water there were around 25 to 30 Sand Martin and I saw a couple of Chiffchaff – so it is official – Spring is here.
I received a text whilst there to say there were around a dozen Sand Martin and a Stonechat at Shustoke – typical.
Anyway, this morning I took a walk around the reservoir, the two Oystercatcher where present but took flight as the activity started at the sailing club. Over the water there were around 25 to 30 Sand Martin and I saw a couple of Chiffchaff – so it is official – Spring is here.
Thursday, 12 March 2015
Thursday 12th March
Firstly Tuesday was brilliant, it look like there should have been some birds around but as is often the case – there weren’t.
My son was working from home and I was amazed when he asked if I fancied a walk around the reservoir! The last time we did that I think I was holding his hand. We walked and talked but it was rather quiet.
This morning I had another look for any early migrants and drew a blank but there were a pair of Oystercatcher resting on the jetty in front of the sailing club.
My son was working from home and I was amazed when he asked if I fancied a walk around the reservoir! The last time we did that I think I was holding his hand. We walked and talked but it was rather quiet.
This morning I had another look for any early migrants and drew a blank but there were a pair of Oystercatcher resting on the jetty in front of the sailing club.
Monday, 9 March 2015
Monday 9th March
Took a walk around the reservoir this morning but apart from a couple of Kingfisher on the river it was pretty quiet.
On Friday I had a day in Norfolk with Joy and her sister we did quite well with Bittern at Titchwell, two Rough-legged Buzzard and Great Grey Shrike plus three Barn Owl and a ringtail Hen Harrier.
On Friday I had a day in Norfolk with Joy and her sister we did quite well with Bittern at Titchwell, two Rough-legged Buzzard and Great Grey Shrike plus three Barn Owl and a ringtail Hen Harrier.
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Tuesday 3rd March
There was a male Stonechat this morning on the north-east shoreline it was showing well but was continually being moved along, but seem reasonably settled. There were a few signs of Spring today with a few birds singing. I also saw nearly 20 Common Snipe but the highlight was seeing the Tree Sparrow again.
Sunday, 1 March 2015
February
You have probably noticed that I have been rather busy recently. I have done a bit of birding but haven’t seen much in all honesty. I did have a morning out around the Reservoir last week but apart from a couple of Peregrine there wasn’t too much around. Hopefully with Spring just around the corner there might be a little more around.
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