My Outback 2004 / 51 (1 Viewer)

Things are a bit busy at the moment, but I'm just about keeping my patch walks up one each weekend... although I'd prefer more.

The latest was today, and although there was nothing spetacular, once again everything was "just nice"!

Weather was cloudy, and cooler than of late, but still mild, with a fair old wind

The grasses have had the first part of their annual cut, and as a consequence we were rewarded with fanbtasteic views of Green Woodpeckers searching for ants. Prior to the cut, of course they would have been hidden in the vegtetation.

Also, the Kestel activitiy was increased... perhaps a combination of the wind and the more open ground... and in addition we were blessed with the first Buzzard for goodly while.

Highlight of the woodland birds was great sightings of a very busy Nuthatch.

Plain text = Outback day tick
Bold text = Outback year tick
Bold text italic = Outback life tick
(Number in brackets is highest number of individuals identified at one time)

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) : 18 (17)
Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) : 3 (2)
Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) : 3 (1)
Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) : 1 (1)
Coot (Fulica atra) : 3 (2)
Buzzard (Buteo buteo) : 1 (1)
Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) : 4 (2)
Magpie (Pica pica) : 6 (3)
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) : 5 (3)
Robin (Erithacus rubecula) : 1 (1)
Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) : 1 (1)
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) : 2 (1)
Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) : 2 (1)
Swallow (Hirundo rustica) : 6 (4)
House Martin (Delichon urbicum) : 20 (20)
Skylark (Alauda arvensis) : 1 (1)
Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) : 1 (1)
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) : 1 (1)
Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) : 5 (5)
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) : 3 (3)

Still envious of your Green Woodpeckers. They're so difficult to see in this area not to mention the Buzzard other than an occasional fly over.

I have noticed the Kestrels around here starting to return in good numbers. I counted 7 whilst out this morning.

So what does your full Outback list stand at?

Full Outback list now 77 species identified...

That is pretty good, mine is close at 73 species in just over a year's recording. Hoping to see one or two more in my next survey in September. I fancy a Lapwing!