Newton-St-Loe Birding: Tree Sparrow

Showing posts with label Tree Sparrow. Show all posts

28 January 2020

Short Eared and Tawny Owls

Date:
15th-28th January

Location:
Marlborough downs, Somerset Levels,Newton St Loe, Chew Valley

Weather:
Blue Skies,sunsets, hail, grey overcast, wet.

Species Highlights:
Short Eared Owl, Red Kite, Corn Bunting, Bearded Reedling, Tree Sparrow, Tawny Owl, Starling, murmuration

Observations:

15th January I headed to my favorite part of Wiltshire for my fix of Tree Sparrows and Short Eared Owls, I was not disappointed!
Corn bunting sat Singing, Yellowhammer, all greeted me on arrival.

But a sudden and not forecasted hail storm made everything disappear but after 20 mins the sun shone through and Tree Sparrow appeared.

Tricky to get close too but happy to get a few shots.

From There I headed up on to the Marlborough Downs for some Owl action, Kettle on and a sandwich before we saw any but 5 or 6 eventually showed well.

Hunting across the fields in perfect light for a change.

Such great birds always a treat to watch.

Catching mostly voles, this one mantling its lunch.

People gathered on the hills all having great views.

On the 19th Sunday Me and Lauren went back up, It was very different with cars, dogs and walkers everywhere. We walked around looking for some action and came across 4 Red Kites just chilling in the afternoon sunshine.

The Shorties did show but no where near as well but we were very happy to watch them.

Even if some people didn't even notice them!

We waited till sunset and it was worth the wait!

20th Monday we headed down to Ham Wall and Shapwick, no sign of the Firecrest or Yellow-Browed Warbler but this Chiffchaff showed well.

Great Crested Grebe feeding well on Perch , i think.

Looking splendid in winter plumage.

while looking for the YBW a group of birders spotted this fine chap, not often we get to see a Tawny Owl in the Daylight.

He sat for most of the day here by Avalon hide.

With the sunshine even got my first Butterfly of the Year a Red Admiral, just 58 to go!

From the hide 3 Marsh Harrier cruised past always distant.

A coffee then we walked over to Shapwick for the main attraction the Starling murmurations.

A slow start to the show tonight but soon there must have been 500,000 plus in the skies above.

Count that lot!

Lauren took these pictures, a great job!!

No real patterns but we did see Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, the Starling soon went down to roost was a amazing sound.

Once down to roost the skies turnned orange and red a perfect end.

21st January was the first full patch walk for me, it started with a heavy fog making visibility down to 50ft birding was tricky! Once at the Lake happy to see the Whooper Swan was still present, Little grebe, Tufted Duck also still about.

The resident Mute is starting to chase our Whooper, has been seen by someone this week to fly off but has since returned, i'll check in on him this Thursday.

Really pleased to see a Marsh Tit at the top of top lake, just the one,a bit scarce around these parts.

From the misty start the light was stunning by end of walk and good to be back on patch.

ending first full patch on a 39 count.

Weekend off work as we visited Lisbon Portugal 23rd-26th, a few good birds will do a blog soon.

28th

Headed down to Chew Valley to a wet grey Hide at Stratford Marsh Harrier, Black Necked Grebe and 2 Bearded Reedling showed, light was awful.

Once I got home and warmed up noticed on the feeder tree at home 4 Bullfinch 3 Male and 1 Female again light bad so just a record shot of this stunning male, will try harder!

Wayne Year Bird List: 105
Lauren Year Bird List: 100

Thanks For Looking!

Thanks For All Your Support!

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter

Facebook

22 February 2019

Spring is Springing

Date: 18- 21 February 2019

Location:
Wiltshire, Pit 44, Epney, Slimbridge, Eastville Park, Aust, Newton St Loe

Weather:
Mixed bag

Species Highlights:
Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Red Kite, Yellow Browed Warbler, Whooper Swan, Golden Plover, Pintail, Tornado, Grey Heron, Red Admiral.

Observation:
Monday morning Lauren was off work so in order to let her catch up we did a bit of a driving starting with a site in Wiltshire for Tree Sparrow, on arrival we were greeted with 50+ Reed Buntings with Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer covering the trees.

The Tree Sparrows were in their normal spots, everywhere but without cover it was difficult to get closer shots but really excellent to all the bird life.
With around a hour spent our next spot was a short drive to Pit 44 Cotswold Water Park.

The Yellow Browed Warbler which i'd seen a few times now was on arrival flitting up the small stream giving us good views, photographing another story, its such a quick little bird, moving from branch to branch.

The YBW then flew across road to lakeside and we couldn't relocate but another year tick for Lauren.

Our plan was to head for Slimbridge but dropping into to Epney where some Whooper Swan had been. We parked up near the Anchor Inn and walked along the Severn Way for a short distance and saw the 5 Whooper Swan on other side of the River Severn.

Job done it was time for Slimbridge. Slimbridge is always great but it was half term and it was very busy the car park almost full.
It was just the long staying Jack Snipe to see..... no sign that morning and has not been seen since! As the song goes 3 outta 4 not bad, well nearly.

Flocks of Lapwing, Dunlin across the Dumbles

Filling the skies with birds.

Dodging all the welly boot kids which apparently it was the world championship puddle jumping competition, we walked around to the South Hide a group of Avocet were displaying.

That 4th tick of the day for us both.

Another look for the Jack Snipe and Curlew were flying over the Dumbles, always good to see.

Jackdaw showing how well he can balance, a very underrated bird and stunning.

Back to the Rushy Hide for the remainder of the day, always good to watch the coming and goings.

Bewick Swan, Pintail, Shelduck to name a few that kept us entertained.

A good day was had and we returned home. Wednesday was my next day out and went to Eastville Park in the hope of Dipper or Kingfisher, very little was seen but this Jay sing away to himself surrounded by the many dog walkers.

Quite a few Feral Pigeons were around pond, I chucked a handful of seed down and this rather smart White Pigeon came to feed.

Spent 2 hours looking but to no avail so headed to Aust to see what was about, a single Stonechat near Pilling Wetlands and not much else.

No Owls but did manage to just about see the farewell Tornado flypast, unfortunately I'd walked down to the new Severn Bridge and the Tornado's decided to fly over the Old Severn Bridge!

40 years of service and a superb plane to watch, a such a great noise!

Thursday and as normal a patch walk with lots of singing Great Tits, Robin, Song Thrush a party of Long Tailed tits up on to Dog Track.

As I entered the small wooded area this Roe deer using his stay very still and no one will see me technique, on walking around the woodland the was still in same spot from the other side.

But a highlight was my first Butterfly of the year!!! It flew in front of me at bottom of the track and I even spotted another, a very worn and obviously overwinter specimen.

But it means my Butterfly year has started just 57 to go for my 3rd year on photographing all UK species, I'm not including the Irish Cryptic Wood White this year..