15 February 2019

Tree Sparrow, Red Kite, and Newton St Loe

Date: 03-14 February 2019
Location: 
Newton St Loe,Cotswold Water Park, Hackpen Hill.
Weather: 
Mostly cloudy
Species Highlights: 
Marsh Tit, Goldcrest, Yellow Browed Warbler, Red Kite, Grey Partridge, Goosander, Tree sparrow.
Observation: 
03/02
After our US & Canada Trip it was back to UK for birding and to with a start a patch walk, snow was still covering the ground but with a temperature of -2 it was t-shirt weather after Quebec with a temp of -37!



Birds around the patch we a bit scarce, but it was good to be back.


A few jumpy Goldcrest feeding in Yew Tree around university.


But highlight of the walk was finally seeing the Marsh Tits again, everyone had been seeing them, but me and Lauren kept missing them so pleased to add to the 2019 year list. 
(sorry about Pic)

10/02
Sunday decided to do another Patch walk with mixed weather but turning blue it was a good walk, The skylark were up displaying as i walked up lanes from Bath Mill.



Saw around 6 birds chasing each other and singing a great sight.


The skylark were all of note on top fields.


This Kestrel showed well as i was looking down towards Globe.


Not much change on the lake with Cormorant, Mallard, Mute Swans and Teal in normal numbers. 
Did see the Marsh tit again, at least 3 birds seen. but Coal tit, Blue and Great Tit in good numbers feeding in the leaf litter in top woodland.


Another walk over it was low count with only 37 species.


11/02
Monday morning and met Allan Chard at Marshfield for a look for Brambling but no sign while we were there so we headed of to the Cotswold Water Park , Lower Mill estate Pit 44 to see if we could see the Yellow Browed Warbler.
Met up with Merv an old friend from my post office days, luckily he just seen the YBW so we stood waiting for it to reappear. I got bored and wandered off.

I did manage a few decent shots of the many Goldcrest that were flitting around the trees.



Almost a flight shot, Chiffchaff , Red Kite were also seen. 
While I was photographing the Goldcrest, I said to Merv call me if YBW appears.........mmmm I never heard and when i returned both Allan and Merv had shots of the bird!!


But it was appearing every 40 mins or so and eventually did appear.


A few snaps of the ever present Red Crested Pochard and we departed.


We dropped into Corsham Park and Goosander were busily feeding this female showed well in the overcast light.


Really showing off its sawbill.


13/02
Still trying to get some decent shots of Tree Sparrow so returned to Hackpen Hill, Wiltshire area did a 6 mile walk checking all hedgerows for birds.

Was very pleased to see this very distant Grey Partridge, a lifer, picture can only get better from here!



I saw plenty of Tree Sparrow at least 50+ birds but none really wanted to have their photo taken. I will try again, soon.


While walking around the Ridgeway did see some cracking Red Kite.



Corn bunting, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch, Red Legged Partridge also seen.



14/02
Normal Thursday patch walk and again not much to report but spring around the corner, should hope it comes alive soon.
4 Song Thrush singing, Bullfinch and lots of Coal tits around patch.


Jenny still on lower Lake, coming over for a feed.


Saw a few Dunnock too a bird that i see a few of or none of.


Checked out the footpath that runs up to New barn and back through Woodenhouse Covert as was told someone had seen Woodcock , but no sign. So the end of another low count walk 38 species.


My 2019 Year list now is at :121
Lauren :115

Thanks For Looking! 
&
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