birdman
Monday 12th April 2004, 23:03
Got another trip out today. Most of the day was spent once more indulging in that Easter tradition of gardening – specifically trying to rescue my ravaged front lawn! – but we had a window of opportunity, not least due to some dog-sitting this evening.
Setting off at 7.00pm, it would by necessity be a relative sprint, and we didn’t expect to come across too much, thinking that most of the birdies would be thinking about getting some sleep.
Nevertheless, Skylarks made the first entry on the list again, with one in the sky close to our house.
We picked up a couple of Starlings on the estate, and a Meadow Pipit as soon as we reached the “countryside”.
A distant calling Yellowhammer was a surprise, and a Blackbird flew past.
As we reached the pond, there were 4 Moorhens at the water’s edge either arguing or competing for someone’s fancy! A few Mallards on the pond, and a Little Grebe was a bonus.
We could hear Green Woodpecker calling, and also the call of a Chiffchaff. Looking through my binoculars at some movement where I thought the Chiffchaff was singing from, I saw told boldly coloured Chaffinches, and a Blackcap.
Often I moan about the light, but with the sun quite low, and from behind, the light was perfect – brilliant, brilliant view of all three birds. After watching the Blackcap feed for a couple of minutes, we continued, just as he gave a quick burst of song.
Continuing toward the woods – taking a shorter than usual route – we added Magpie and Great Tit, and the first of the Woodpigeons. Partnyorsha noticed a bird fly into a tree – perhaps an owl – so we watched for it to re-emerging, which it did after about five minutes. “Only” a Kestrel.
Whilst watching for the Kestrel, and walking towards the eastern edge of the area, two partridges exploded out of the ground from about 5 feet away. Unfortunately, they flew directly away from us, and even after recovering our shattered nerves, we were unable to positively id them.
A Lapwing was heard from just about the same area as seem yesterday, and the first of many Blue Tits was seen. As usual with the woodland birds, I have probably understated the numbers ided – it’s just too tricky to keep track of all the calls and movements.
A Pheasant squawked from some distance, and a Pied Wagtail circled overhead.
Looking for another owl in the same tree as yesterday, we drew a blank, but Partnyorsha soon caught sight of a single Long-tailed Tit.
We heard a Nuthatch (or 2?) in the trees, and probably more than the 1 Robin I have reported, while some Blackbirds were seriously alarmed, probably by the Jackdaws at close quarters.
By now the light was failing, so any further sightings would be distinctive calls or silhouettes. A couple of Magpies, and a Pheasant, and as we passed the pond again, I could see 2 male Tufted Ducks. Recently the 2 ducks have been a pair, so hopefully this means that the two pairs seen earlier in the year are still present.
Finally, a last singing Skylark as the time reached just after 8.00pm – oh, and one that quickly left the footpath after almost being trodden on!
For an hour’s walk on a pleasant spring evening, with a Blackcap thrown in, I really cannot complain.
My Outback year list is now 55 strong, with the life-list on 68.
Plain text = Outback day tick
Bold text = Outback year tick
Bold italic text = Outback life tick
(Number in brackets is highest number of individuals identified at one time)
Pheasant : 4 (1)
Mallard : 8 (7)
Tufted Duck : 2 (2)
Green Woodpecker : 2 (2)
Woodpigeon : 9 (2)
Moorhen : 6 (5)
Coot : 2 (2)
Lapwing : 1 (1)
Kestrel : 2 (1)
Little Grebe : 1 (1)
Magpie : 5 (2)
Jackdaw : 7 (4)
Carrion Crow : 6 (4)
Blackbird : 5 (2)
Robin : 1 (1)
Starling : 5 (2)
Nuthatch : 1 (1)
Great Tit : 3 (1)
Blue Tit : 7 (3)
Long-tailed Tit : 1 (1)
Chiffchaff : 2 (1)
Blackcap : 1 (1)
Skylark : 5 (2)
Pied Wagtail : 1 (1)
Meadow Pipit : 1 (1)
Chaffinch : 11 (3)
Yellowhammer : 4 (3)
Setting off at 7.00pm, it would by necessity be a relative sprint, and we didn’t expect to come across too much, thinking that most of the birdies would be thinking about getting some sleep.
Nevertheless, Skylarks made the first entry on the list again, with one in the sky close to our house.
We picked up a couple of Starlings on the estate, and a Meadow Pipit as soon as we reached the “countryside”.
A distant calling Yellowhammer was a surprise, and a Blackbird flew past.
As we reached the pond, there were 4 Moorhens at the water’s edge either arguing or competing for someone’s fancy! A few Mallards on the pond, and a Little Grebe was a bonus.
We could hear Green Woodpecker calling, and also the call of a Chiffchaff. Looking through my binoculars at some movement where I thought the Chiffchaff was singing from, I saw told boldly coloured Chaffinches, and a Blackcap.
Often I moan about the light, but with the sun quite low, and from behind, the light was perfect – brilliant, brilliant view of all three birds. After watching the Blackcap feed for a couple of minutes, we continued, just as he gave a quick burst of song.
Continuing toward the woods – taking a shorter than usual route – we added Magpie and Great Tit, and the first of the Woodpigeons. Partnyorsha noticed a bird fly into a tree – perhaps an owl – so we watched for it to re-emerging, which it did after about five minutes. “Only” a Kestrel.
Whilst watching for the Kestrel, and walking towards the eastern edge of the area, two partridges exploded out of the ground from about 5 feet away. Unfortunately, they flew directly away from us, and even after recovering our shattered nerves, we were unable to positively id them.
A Lapwing was heard from just about the same area as seem yesterday, and the first of many Blue Tits was seen. As usual with the woodland birds, I have probably understated the numbers ided – it’s just too tricky to keep track of all the calls and movements.
A Pheasant squawked from some distance, and a Pied Wagtail circled overhead.
Looking for another owl in the same tree as yesterday, we drew a blank, but Partnyorsha soon caught sight of a single Long-tailed Tit.
We heard a Nuthatch (or 2?) in the trees, and probably more than the 1 Robin I have reported, while some Blackbirds were seriously alarmed, probably by the Jackdaws at close quarters.
By now the light was failing, so any further sightings would be distinctive calls or silhouettes. A couple of Magpies, and a Pheasant, and as we passed the pond again, I could see 2 male Tufted Ducks. Recently the 2 ducks have been a pair, so hopefully this means that the two pairs seen earlier in the year are still present.
Finally, a last singing Skylark as the time reached just after 8.00pm – oh, and one that quickly left the footpath after almost being trodden on!
For an hour’s walk on a pleasant spring evening, with a Blackcap thrown in, I really cannot complain.
My Outback year list is now 55 strong, with the life-list on 68.
Plain text = Outback day tick
Bold text = Outback year tick
Bold italic text = Outback life tick
(Number in brackets is highest number of individuals identified at one time)
Pheasant : 4 (1)
Mallard : 8 (7)
Tufted Duck : 2 (2)
Green Woodpecker : 2 (2)
Woodpigeon : 9 (2)
Moorhen : 6 (5)
Coot : 2 (2)
Lapwing : 1 (1)
Kestrel : 2 (1)
Little Grebe : 1 (1)
Magpie : 5 (2)
Jackdaw : 7 (4)
Carrion Crow : 6 (4)
Blackbird : 5 (2)
Robin : 1 (1)
Starling : 5 (2)
Nuthatch : 1 (1)
Great Tit : 3 (1)
Blue Tit : 7 (3)
Long-tailed Tit : 1 (1)
Chiffchaff : 2 (1)
Blackcap : 1 (1)
Skylark : 5 (2)
Pied Wagtail : 1 (1)
Meadow Pipit : 1 (1)
Chaffinch : 11 (3)
Yellowhammer : 4 (3)