brianfm
Botanical Birder
Hi all
Well last night was a restless one for me. No idea why! At 4.30am I was lying in bed listening to Blackbird alarm calls. Not quite as sweet as the song from the Song Thrush I listened to on 1st January 2007, but last nights weather wasn't really condusive to sweet arias and at least it beats the neighbours bxxxxy faulty alarm system. Anyway, I began to wonder if I should have Blackbird as number one bird on my 2008 list and down as heard only. Life is so complicated! This ever so complex decision was made far easier for me when I opened the bedroom curtains this morning (ish) and immediatly looked upon a Blackbird. That sounds quite poetic don't you think?8-P
Well my listing began with the garden bird and I listed 13 before lunch. 1,2 and 3 were Blackbird, House Sparrow and Dunnock. Lots of House Sparrows in fact and incidently large numbers of Starlings today, round and about the area. Number 13 on the list was my friend the male Sparrowhawk which spent a few moments eyeing up the bird table from the fence before flying off. Number 13 was not unlucky for any visitor to my garden today but I do hope he had a meal 'cos' he would need one on a day like today.
Then I had a decision to make. Do I go out for my planned local walk in the mist and dullness of the day, or do I sit back and forget about listing. Only one choice could be made really, so on with the waterproof coat and out I went. Unfortunately I timed it almost to the second for the heavy rain to begin, but onward I trod. There were quite a number of walkers out today even in such lousy conditions and most had a smile and a 'how'd you do'. This probably won't last until the 2nd of January, but never mind they are trying. In some cases very trying!
I made for the lake. Remember this is no picturesque pool in the countryside, it's adjoined to the new township (new in the 60s so maybe better to call it old township now). First bird I saw was a Grey Heron standing sentinel like next to the pool and not too concerned that I came within feet of it. Other highlights on the pool were the large number of Goosander, I counted 17 last week and you will know that if you read my blog,
and several Goldeneye. I have never seen so many Great Black Backed Gulls of various ages on the lake, maybe around 40. I didn't go into a detailed count today, far too wet. Other birds included large numbers of Pochard, Canada Geese, Mute Swans and the other regulars. I noted a Cormorant too, which I had not seen on the lake for sometime. They are usualy there in ones or twos, but for some reason not in recent weeks, at least when I have been looking. Masses of Black Headed Gulls and at least two now with an almost complete black head! I noticed that there was one young lad braving the weather to feed the birds whilst parent/s stayed in the car. At least he was feeding from a bag of seed and not stuffing white bread down the ducks throats as many do! Well done mate. I wish more would act so well.
I left the lake and crossed the 'clarty' fields although there was little about, until a large flock of mixed gulls and crows took off as though something may have alerted them to trouble. I reached my favourite hedge and stood in the pouring rain hoping to pick something up. An elderly man passed and appeared to be rather bemussed as to why I was standing dripping wet with binoculars. He smiled nicely as if to humour me. I thought about giving up having only found Blue Tits then I got my eye on a Goldcrest. Possibly more than one. Having waited by the the church grounds across from the hedge which partially surrounds an educational block, hoping I might pick up Nuthatch, I thought enough was enough when the water in my trousers appeared to be working its way slowly upwards to one of the few places about my body that was acrually dry. No, no not there! I decided to cut the walk short at this point although did find a non singing Song Thrush on the way home.
Now I have checked last years list and found I picked up 31 species on 1st Jan 2007. Today, rather spookly I also have 31 (I thought I was to have only 30 until a lone Greenfinch flew to the feeder) Not all of the same species of course. I feel I have done well today as last year I seem to remember clear skies in which I watched a flock of lapwing fly across. I guess that what you gain on the swings you lose in the rain or words to that effect. I came home dripping, but jolly.3 Proud not to be a fair weather birder, but hoping for a little fair weather at the weekend!
Happy birding in 2008 all
Take care
ps and just to confirm my botanical birder credentials I saw that three or four flowers remain on the Feverfew Tancetum parthenium which grew in abundance close to the pathway. They seemed to be hanging on there as if frozen in time!
Well last night was a restless one for me. No idea why! At 4.30am I was lying in bed listening to Blackbird alarm calls. Not quite as sweet as the song from the Song Thrush I listened to on 1st January 2007, but last nights weather wasn't really condusive to sweet arias and at least it beats the neighbours bxxxxy faulty alarm system. Anyway, I began to wonder if I should have Blackbird as number one bird on my 2008 list and down as heard only. Life is so complicated! This ever so complex decision was made far easier for me when I opened the bedroom curtains this morning (ish) and immediatly looked upon a Blackbird. That sounds quite poetic don't you think?8-P
Well my listing began with the garden bird and I listed 13 before lunch. 1,2 and 3 were Blackbird, House Sparrow and Dunnock. Lots of House Sparrows in fact and incidently large numbers of Starlings today, round and about the area. Number 13 on the list was my friend the male Sparrowhawk which spent a few moments eyeing up the bird table from the fence before flying off. Number 13 was not unlucky for any visitor to my garden today but I do hope he had a meal 'cos' he would need one on a day like today.
Then I had a decision to make. Do I go out for my planned local walk in the mist and dullness of the day, or do I sit back and forget about listing. Only one choice could be made really, so on with the waterproof coat and out I went. Unfortunately I timed it almost to the second for the heavy rain to begin, but onward I trod. There were quite a number of walkers out today even in such lousy conditions and most had a smile and a 'how'd you do'. This probably won't last until the 2nd of January, but never mind they are trying. In some cases very trying!
I made for the lake. Remember this is no picturesque pool in the countryside, it's adjoined to the new township (new in the 60s so maybe better to call it old township now). First bird I saw was a Grey Heron standing sentinel like next to the pool and not too concerned that I came within feet of it. Other highlights on the pool were the large number of Goosander, I counted 17 last week and you will know that if you read my blog,
and several Goldeneye. I have never seen so many Great Black Backed Gulls of various ages on the lake, maybe around 40. I didn't go into a detailed count today, far too wet. Other birds included large numbers of Pochard, Canada Geese, Mute Swans and the other regulars. I noted a Cormorant too, which I had not seen on the lake for sometime. They are usualy there in ones or twos, but for some reason not in recent weeks, at least when I have been looking. Masses of Black Headed Gulls and at least two now with an almost complete black head! I noticed that there was one young lad braving the weather to feed the birds whilst parent/s stayed in the car. At least he was feeding from a bag of seed and not stuffing white bread down the ducks throats as many do! Well done mate. I wish more would act so well.I left the lake and crossed the 'clarty' fields although there was little about, until a large flock of mixed gulls and crows took off as though something may have alerted them to trouble. I reached my favourite hedge and stood in the pouring rain hoping to pick something up. An elderly man passed and appeared to be rather bemussed as to why I was standing dripping wet with binoculars. He smiled nicely as if to humour me. I thought about giving up having only found Blue Tits then I got my eye on a Goldcrest. Possibly more than one. Having waited by the the church grounds across from the hedge which partially surrounds an educational block, hoping I might pick up Nuthatch, I thought enough was enough when the water in my trousers appeared to be working its way slowly upwards to one of the few places about my body that was acrually dry. No, no not there! I decided to cut the walk short at this point although did find a non singing Song Thrush on the way home.
Now I have checked last years list and found I picked up 31 species on 1st Jan 2007. Today, rather spookly I also have 31 (I thought I was to have only 30 until a lone Greenfinch flew to the feeder) Not all of the same species of course. I feel I have done well today as last year I seem to remember clear skies in which I watched a flock of lapwing fly across. I guess that what you gain on the swings you lose in the rain or words to that effect. I came home dripping, but jolly.3
Proud not to be a fair weather birder, but hoping for a little fair weather at the weekend!Happy birding in 2008 all
Take care
ps and just to confirm my botanical birder credentials I saw that three or four flowers remain on the Feverfew Tancetum parthenium which grew in abundance close to the pathway. They seemed to be hanging on there as if frozen in time!
Last edited:
