My local patch(es)

[RockyRacoon]

I have told myself to start posting my diary entries of my local patches onto the board, so I'll start with today. On a walk with my dog

11/12/04 (Ladies Mile Nature Reserve)
The treetops are covered in woodpigeons, the odd collared dove and the roaming Magpie. This morning I saw a Jay, a scarcity it winter on this patch.
Two Redwings passed over as I walked down the streets, and there were Carrion Crows flying over the house. The opposite of Jay is true for the Crows, Jays are more common in Spring and Summer and carrion crows in Autumn and Winter. The House Sparrow roost, usually full of Sparrows, was quite empty today, there were three sparrows in the roost and a male Blackbird. As I walked back up my driveway I saw a silouette of a Woodpecker, probably a Green, in the large tree at the end of my garden.

I might be going to Brighton Marina or Castle Hill tomorrow, or just stay locally at Ladies Mile, and watch the bird feeder and tables I put in the bushes.

[Benjismum]

Nice one Jake, I've yet to see a green woodpecker!

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

Well done Jake, its not the birds you see, more the context within which you see them that is more important IMHO.

Keep the reports coming, I enjoy reading 'Your Local Patch'............

[RockyRacoon]

11/12
My idea was try and locate good birding areas in a new local patch in the area near Castle Hill NNR. On Pugsie’s walk I counted four House Sparrows, two Blue tits and a Robin.
The road leading to the fields near Castle Hill had flocks of Rook, and in the bushes by the car park near the fields there was a small flock of Yellowhammer. A male Stonechat seemed to be very much at home by the huge telephone wire, which had lots of funny huts around. I saw many Stonechats throughout the day, often in the low scrub next to the path.
Castle Hill had a large flock of 50+ Corn Bunting amongst the top of two trees and a female Kestrel which showed fantastically. Other than that it was mainly birds flying around in the scrub, I know that I need a telescope when I come back here. Other birds throughout the day include: Song Thrush, Chaffinches, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Blackbird, Blue tit, Red-legged Partridge, Skylark, Wren, Goldfinches flying across from place to place and Common Gulls in the fields. I also found a patch of feathers of a bird killed, probably a Woodpigeon, killed by a Hen Harrier, a bird that I hope to see in future visits.

My best sighting was of the Corn Bunting flock

[birdman]

Great read, Jake,

As Darren says, keep 'em coming.

I enjoy all bird reports, but local patches are the most fulfilling/satisfying/rewarding IMO! (No need to delete as applicable)

:t: