28 February 2016

Bath Peregrine Falcon's

Date: 28th February 2016
Location: Bath City Centre + Home
Weather: Cloudy, Cold With Wind

Other Species: Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Peregrine Falcon, Siskin - Of Note


Observation: Waking up slightly early today, paid off as a pair of Siskin's were happily feeding on the Peanuts outside the window, after 10 minutes of watching them they flew off, none the less that takes our 'Garden Watch List' to 35!

The pair done a good job of keeping the other birds off the feeder, but did seem to be quite aggressive towards each other.



The Male posed nicely for us!


We visited the Bath Peregrine Falcons to see if there was much activity. We arrived and could see only 1 Peregrine seemed to be present, this being AA the Male bird who was ringed in 2007, unsure whether the Female was nearby though. AA wasn't that active in the short time we were there and only took flight 3 times in 30 minutes.



AA with his ring on show, terrible light late afternoon.


We will return in a few weeks when there is better light in the hope for some hunting and hopefully some mating behaviour between the pair.

On Bath Cricket Grounds there were 18+ Pied Wagtail feeding on the lawn.


Thanks For Looking !

26 February 2016

Blashford Lakes And The Weymouth RSPB Reserves

Date: 25/02/2016

Location: Blashford Lakes / Weymouth reserves 

 Weather: Started Blue Skies -2, Ended cloudy 7c 
Other Species: 
Blashford Lakes - Tern Hide - 
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveller, Egyptian goose, Cormorant, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Shelduck, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Greylag, Goosander, Pintail - Plus a few others + Also 5 Fallow Deer.
Woodland Hide- 
Siskin, Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Nuthatch, Long Tailed Tits, Greenfinch, Goldcrest - Plus the more common.
RSPB Lodmoor,Weymouth-
Gadwall, Little Egret, Tufted Duck, 3 Spoonbill, Green Sandpiper, Shoveller, Teal, Lapwing
RSPB Radipole-
Marsh Harrier, Shoveller, Little Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Cetti's Warbler - plus the usual.
 Observation:
Day off so Blashford Lakes in Hampshire seemed a good bet as Siskin, Redpoll and maybe Brambling were showing well on Twitter! Never been before, parked at the Tern Hide where the light was fantastic although apart from Little Grebe and Tufted Ducks everything was very distant, stayed for 30 mins or so spotting around 19 different species I'm sure there was more just needed hubble scope for better views! Did see 5 Fallow Deer far right hand side.



Left there and headed across road to Woodland Hide the Woodland was alive with bird sound. 4 or 5 feeders all full of Siskin and Redpoll! With Reed Buntings on floor, in hide had some great views of mainly Siskin perching up.


Again the light was perfect !


Cracking little birds, loving the Niger Seed.


Redpoll not as many but still little crackers !


Even the more common species looked great.
After speaking to John a very friendly local for a couple of hours had a brief look around other hides, definitely coming back with Lauren.
No Brambling today but next time I hope !


Now 12 o'clock and getting cloudy so headed along to Weymouth first. 
RSPB Lodmoor and this Gadwall was stunning took far to many pictures of him but come on a great looking duck !


Not much else about a few Lapwings then I spotted the Spoonbills, 
He even caught a few tiddlers !


There were 3 there but this guy came fairly close for my 400mm,
Strutting his stuff for 30 mins or so.


Then without so much as a by your leave, of he went !
 Flew straight out to sea maybe down to Brownsea ? Other 2 were tucked up in reeds.


Next Place RSPB Radipole and first as always the most famous Merganser in Weymouth, would be rude not too! Getting very overcast now :( Weather not the hoody !


Few Cettis singing, Shovellers floating about then I spotted a stunning male Marsh Harrier sat on post from North Hide.


Also Female cruising over reeds, great birds just never close enough for my lens though through bins amazing to watch!


Shelducks quite a few here showing signs of mating behaviour.


With these two guys watching me closely and light now fading fast decided it was time to head home a excellent day was had and I think some great pictures ! Over 450 I took !
Blashford Lakes worth a return trip soon !  


Thanks For Looking !
Why not say hi in our comment section ! :)

23 February 2016

8am Sunshine + Singing Skylarks

Date: 23/03/2016

Location: Newton St Loe - Full Patch
Weather: Blue Skies - Some Cloud
Other Species: 200+ Wood Pigeon, 5 Song Thrush,6/7 Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Buzzard, 8 Skylark, 14 Yellowhammer, 4 Greenfinch, 8 Grey Heron, 1 (Female) Goosander, Raven, Teal, Stonechat, Kestrel, 3 (Male) Bullfinch  

- Of Note. 

Observation: Headed out early 8am! That early for me :) But sunshine and singing birds was definitely the reward. Long Tailed Tits, Robins and 5 Song Thrush out through Bath Mill with Goldcrests up towards dog track.



On fields either side Skylarks were up singing with Wood Pigeons trying to find somewhere to sit at least 200 in groups of 50.


At Crossroads of the byways before Seven Acre there were 2 Yellowhammers, one singing their distinctive song, first time I've seen & heard them this year here.


From Seven Acre I could see 3 Buzzards soaring high on thermals.


More Skylarks on next fields and in towards Village the normal House Sparrows were sat basking in the sunshine.


At Church it seemed to be alive in every tree with Goldcrests feeding.
2 more Buzzards soaring out over Corston.


The Heronry seems to be going well with 8 still present.



On Lakes Goosander numbers seem to have dropped just 1 Female, Males may have flown down to River Avon at Keynsham Weir as they have been seen a few times there.
A very smart Black Headed Gull 10 or so Juveniles but no Little Grebe or Kingfisher was seen today.




After the College and climbing hill towards Park Farm the view seemed to be clear and crisp today with Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Welsh Hills behind.



Just before Park Farm a group of 10+ Yellowhammers, this normal place for them.


Also a pair of Stonechats at Farm, while watching a Kestrel came from nowhere making Chats, Wrens and Dunnock dive for cover !


2 More Buzzards another Yellowhammer at Crossroads of 12 O'clock Lane,
While taking picture of the undulating lane a Rabbit ran across road, what are the chances !


The normal Greenfinches, Great and Blue Tits at Pennsylvania farm and bottom of hill before Claysend Farm a group of 6 Siskin feeding on Alders.
A long walk but seeing 47 Species  a great one !
Sooo close to 50, one day !


Thanks For Looking !

21 February 2016

A Drizzly Patch !

Date: 21st February 2016
Location: Newton Park Lark - Circular
Weather: Cloudy, Light Rain, Some Wind

Other Species: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Long-Tailed Tit, 15+ Blackbird, 2 Jay, Goldcrest, 5 Skylark, 2 Mistle Thrush, 60+ Redwing, House Sparrow, 9 Grey Heron (Nest Building!), 5 Siskin, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Goosander (3 Male, 1 Female), 1 Cormorant, 18 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Coal Tit, 150+ Starling, 2 Stonechat, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Collared Dove, 5+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch - Of Note - 43 Total Species

Observation: A drizzly start to the walk, but it didn't stop the birds! The walk started with a single Greenfinch, a good count of both Great Tit, Blue Tit and Goldfinch on our feeders. On the entrance to Bath Mill, there were the normal fly-overs of Crow, Magpie and Lesser Black-Backed Gull's along with a single Blackbird. A Jay fly-past was nice to see, not seen one since 2nd January on the patch. 

Onto the Dog Walk, a sudden surge of Wood Pigeon, 200+ took to the air for a few minutes and settled in nearby trees, largest count on the patch! Another fly-past Jay was seen, Goldcrest, Wren and Dunnock also seen in full song.


At the Village, 3 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing and House Sparrow feeding on some berries.

At 'Butterfly Alley', we spotted some Grey Heron in the tree, upon going closer, there were a total count of 9 Grey Heron, where a few were nest building, hopefully we should get some chicks this year!




Back on 'Butterfly Alley' a small group of 5 Siskin were feeding in the Alders before flying overhead. Lower Lake produced the resident Kingfisher (Male).


Top Lake produced 4 Goosanders (3 Male + 1 Female), 1 Cormorant, 18 Teal and 1 Little Grebe.


We sat for a few minutes on the grass lawn of Bath Spa University, best here were 2 Nuthatch 1, Greenfinch and 1 Coal Tit.

Back along the College Drive, another Goldcrest calling nearby and a large flock of 150+ Starling and a few Redwing, who were feeding in the rain.




On 'Horse Fields' the pair of Stonechat were still present and the a single Yellowhammer in it's normal garden. Another flock of 50+ Redwing with the single Fieldfare still present feeding in the rain.


Finished the walk with 2 Collared Dove and 2 Bullfinch on our feeders. Takes our total to 43 species, not bad for a drizzly walk!


Thanks For Looking !

19 February 2016

Penduline Tits @ Gloucester !

Date: 18/02/2016

Location: Gloucester & Forest of Dean
Weather: Bright Sunshine  & Blue Skies
Other Species:
Penduline Tit, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting - Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Mandarin Duck, Little Grebe, Treecreeper - 30ish Total For Day.

Observation:
Started day with drive to Gloucestershire to see Penduline Tits at Horsbere Brook Flood Lake second attempt with success !
Very small ranging from 7-11 cm, considering a Blue Tit is around 12cm and a Goldcrest is 8-9 cm Tricky to spot and see !


Only managed a few shots of them away from Reeds.
With sun in wrong place ! 
But at least it was sunny I suppose !


In Bullrushes even trickier to see, but a new bird for me and I was very happy on leaving !
:)
Had planned to go to Slimbridge but it was half term and the Puddle Jumping Championship was taking place ! 
Didn't fancy that so Forest of Dean it was.


With one new bird done thought I'd try Crabtree Hill for the Great Grey Shrike but apart from a few Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrests, Coal Tits and around 5 others Birders looking for it I left them to it and headed to Woorgreens Lake, first time here and sun was shining head on Canada Geese, Goosanders and Little Grebes on lake.


Being dinnertime thought I'd head down to Cannop Pond parked up and Nuthatches.


Coal Tits, Marsh Tits + lots of Robins counted at least 6 all squabbling, watched them feed while I polished of my Pot Noodle ! 


After a couple of hours decided to walk around Cannop Pond and this stunning Raven perched nicely in the now perfect Sunlight !


Mandarin Ducks looked stunning on lake some displaying to females.


A few Tufted Ducks also on lake


Also Little Grebes catching minnows


Lead in mud at this point going for the low angle and getting strange looks from the many people walking round lakes with kids screaming and the sun dipping behind trees decided to pack up and leave.

A excellent day was had with the Penduline Tits the definite highlights ! 


Thanks For Looking 
Back On Patch Sunday !