The Safari forgot to mention that on the drive back from Moore Nature Reserve on Sunday we passed by Marshside RSPB reserve. With the high driving position afforded by the Land Rover we were able to see at least four Avocets (132) still swishing about in the shallows as we passed the front of the reserve. The hoped for Barn Owl on the journey didn’t materialise.
This morning’s Patches were both quiet. Walking up the hill two ‘alba’ Wagtails were picked up on call and seen bouncing towards the coast. By the time we’re out on Patch 1 it is now light and so Woodpigeon Wood has lost its overnighters and is birdless, soon the opening buds will become full sized leaves and viewing in to the canopy will come to an end – winter does have some benefits!
A Fieldfare chacking about in the treetops before heading off northwards was the best the park could offer, indeed it offered very little else it being decidedly quiet in there hardly even the coo of a Woodpigeon.
Patch 2 was similarly birdless, the vast expanse of beach being well and truly disturbed by bait diggers, fishermen, dog walkers and a metal detectorist. Just a few gulls and Oystercatchers were away down on the water line and only two Redshanks in the runnel at the bottom of the wall.
Out at sea it was a bit choppier than yesterday and only a dozen or so Common Scoters were seen.
It was in the air that the action was for a change. Action might be a bit of an overstatement...about 20 unseen Meadow Pipits went over in dribs and drabs as did a couple or so ‘alba’ Wagtails, if that constitutes action then action it was.
Then the phone rang - Firecrest in the big park! nothing we could do until lunchtime when we needed to nip back to Base Camp for some work stuff anyway and the park happens to be on the way so there was nothing for it but to drop in for a few minutes. we saw plenty of Goldcrests and a couple of Chiffchaffs, even spotted CR and stopped for a brief chat.
This morning’s Patches were both quiet. Walking up the hill two ‘alba’ Wagtails were picked up on call and seen bouncing towards the coast. By the time we’re out on Patch 1 it is now light and so Woodpigeon Wood has lost its overnighters and is birdless, soon the opening buds will become full sized leaves and viewing in to the canopy will come to an end – winter does have some benefits!
A Fieldfare chacking about in the treetops before heading off northwards was the best the park could offer, indeed it offered very little else it being decidedly quiet in there hardly even the coo of a Woodpigeon.
Patch 2 was similarly birdless, the vast expanse of beach being well and truly disturbed by bait diggers, fishermen, dog walkers and a metal detectorist. Just a few gulls and Oystercatchers were away down on the water line and only two Redshanks in the runnel at the bottom of the wall.
Out at sea it was a bit choppier than yesterday and only a dozen or so Common Scoters were seen.
It was in the air that the action was for a change. Action might be a bit of an overstatement...about 20 unseen Meadow Pipits went over in dribs and drabs as did a couple or so ‘alba’ Wagtails, if that constitutes action then action it was.
Then the phone rang - Firecrest in the big park! nothing we could do until lunchtime when we needed to nip back to Base Camp for some work stuff anyway and the park happens to be on the way so there was nothing for it but to drop in for a few minutes. we saw plenty of Goldcrests and a couple of Chiffchaffs, even spotted CR and stopped for a brief chat.
Straight back after work and the youngsters had the place staked out but had only had a shed load of Goldcrests again. We gave it as long as we dared but didn't bump into the little beauty. Another quick chat with the youngsters, they had now had over 20 Goldcrests but still no Firecrest.
Where to next? No chance of a visit tomorrow until we hit the trail back to Base Camp.
In the meantime let us know what's hiding very well in your outback.
3 comments:
hiding very well from the missus where 74 waxwings at a local site darn sarf (Runcorn!)having sprung her from a staff meeting and treated her to Chips and curry the fact that I had seen them half an hour previously means that I am like Pluto - firmly in the Doghouse!
Great to see you t'other day - Leighton soon?
Unlucky with the Firecrst Dave :-)
Shame to see you are suffering withthe slash and burd brigade too.
Oh, and them lanterns, I get them too!!
20 Goldcrests is real good D - a lot more than the zero I've seen yet this spring.
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