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Tales of a Botanical Birder. (1 Viewer)

They think it’s all over
It is now!

Well not quite! 31st Dec. Despite the bitterly cold weather and the squealing of brass monkeys I decide to don designer hat, matching scarf and gloves and take my friend down to hopefully find the Waxwings again. Well, yes I know that was damn generous of me, but I am simply that type of gent.

Anyway we decided to take a walk around the lake on the way down to the church grounds. I’m pleased we did as I recorded only my second Grey Wagtail on the local patch, spotted initially I confess, by my mate. Four Lapwings up close were quite unusual too. I was surprised at least part of the lake wasn’t frozen.

The birds were very active this morning and it was difficult to count the Goosanders which were on occasion flying from area to area of the lake, but I was sure there was at least the 19 I counted recently and possibly even more now. A few Pochard had returned after an absence but still not the numbers of recent winters and there was still only one lone Goldeneye. Canada Geese numbers were now up to 18.

Other birds seen on the lake were Cormorants (definitely increasing in numbers here), Mute Swans, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Black Headed Gull and Common Gull. As we reached the far end of the lake I noticed what appeared to be larger amounts of swan feathers than normal. On getting close up to them I noticed that they were in a few heaps and included flight feathers (one of which I have for my feather collection). I then found a piece of bloody flesh. I wondered if a fox had killed a bird, but surely the feathers would not be left in rather tidy piles. I have to wonder if human hands have been involved here!

We eventually made our way to the church grounds which is a fair walk. On arrival I found that the tree with the berries that the Waxwings had been feeding on was stripped bare. I was rather disappointed on my mates account as I thought the birds may well have left now. We did find Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush before bumping into another birder who was on his way having failed to spot any Waxwings. We sort of settled our minds to the fact that the birds had gone, but had a walk around the graveyard. My mate got his eye on a flock of small birds and on inspection we found that they were the flock of Waxwings in a large tree next to another smaller tree covered in berries. I must find out what species these trees are. The birds had found another tree to feast upon. Strange really how they remain in the flock and strip one tree before moving to another tree of the same species very close by. The birder I spoke to the other day had commented upon the birds not going near this other tree. Anyway my friend counted 76 Waxwings today and thinks he missed a few. They moved on as we did ourselves and we came across them again in a tree very close to the houses nearby. I was told once again by a chap who lived there that they have been regular visitors during recent winters. It seems to have brought the residents of the houses a little celebrity.

We walked back by a different route taking in the small amount of land which is still green around the old village. We found around 15 Redwing and heard Pheasant calling before being greeted by the local horses which I’m now quite friendly with. Small passerines included Great, Coal and Blue Tit, a flock of Greenfinch and House Sparrows. Then towards the end of the walk we found an attractive Goldcrest in the other church grounds.

It had not warmed up at all and I was frozen despite all of the clothing, so I was rather pleased when we arrived at Morrison’s for lunch. There was a restricted menu for New Years Eve. Goodness knows why! Fish and chips were off the menu so the lady pointed to what was on. Oh I’ll have the omelette then, I said. There’s none left, she said. I ended up with a cheese sandwich, cappuccino and a rather nice cake!

Oh yes and the bird list ended up at a total of 37. Not bad at all for a walk down the road.

Cya in 2009. All the best.
 

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Nice to see people getting enjoyment out of just plain getting out there and seeing some birds instead of looking for lifers and moaning that there weren't any.

Seems to have been a Waxwing invasion, this year, but my patch just isn't the right habitat. Only spotted a loner on its way somewhere else having lost the flock, it seems.

Anyway, you inspired me to actually take more note instead of moaning and grumbling aobut the cold and mist because I'm already getting too prone to discount species. Time to go and update my blog.
 
Cheers mikfoz.

I occasionally look for lifers and moan too. ;-) However I think there is much to be said for and learnt from taking a keen interest in ones local patch, where ever it may be and I can never understand why some seem to write off birds simply because they are common. One day there may be a twitch for House Sparrows!

All the best
 
a House Sparrow twitch in Sichuan, China
3158964151_5a30956d16.jpg

A juvenile male, in the reeds, just outside Chengdu - they look a little different out here. We've had an explosion of this species this winter - they ain't too common in our kneck of the woods
 
Thanks for that china guy. A nice photo. I wouldn't mind twitching a few House Sparrows at Chengdu myself. ;-)
 
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