rollingthunder
Well-known member
It is reaching peak Winter count at Stevens Park but BHG’s have only just achieved about 300 and more telling only about 10% 1w birds - wonder what the current breeding status of the species is these days...
I have not recorded Goosander this Winter either there or down at Withymoor despite water levels remaining high for the last 4 months and over a year without any Tufties:C
The presence of small groups of Fieldfares on the Estate Rowans usually means the food supply has gone elsewhere - this species appears shyer than the few Redwings that i have seen here on an almost daily basis.
With Spring around the corner and bearing in mind the lack of migrants, for me, last year it is time to crack on with a bespoke survey of suitable areas for both Goshawk and Raven:eek!: This year we have included another species that is easily much scarcer than Raven and possibly has less recorded breeding pairs than Gos - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We have included this as a number of earmarked sites have what we consider ‘suitable’ habitat for this declining species.
Yesterday we surveyed 2 areas in the Shatterford to Far Forest Triangle. Dry, bright, conditions were good with only a light breeze to contend with. The first site only yielded a solitary Raven but we did hear an LSW calling. This is a site where i had recorded them within the last 5 years but not during the last 2. Of note were several very active parties of mixed Tits and associated Finches feeding high up in the Alder canopy. The former included Great, Blue, Long-tailed, Coal and Marsh whilst the latter comprised Goldfinch, Redpoll and quite a few Siskins:t:
The second site proved more productive with a huge female Gos c/w with full crop in one area and a persistent calling male at another. Several Ravens were noted - they have a habit of dropping out of a clump of Pines calling softly as they do so. This is generally perceived to be males alerting nearby females that there is another presence. There is quite a lot of excellent potential habitat for LSW but we did not have time. Weather is the key factor so the window of opportunity will probably be closed for a few days.....
All surveying is carried out from public rights of way and please do not PM for details as none will be given. Reports of disturbance at the now well publicised LSW site at Dowles Brook only confirms the selfish behaviour of these tog idiots who want everything and contribute nothing - the end result is suppression:C
Good Birding:t:
Laurie -
I have not recorded Goosander this Winter either there or down at Withymoor despite water levels remaining high for the last 4 months and over a year without any Tufties:C
The presence of small groups of Fieldfares on the Estate Rowans usually means the food supply has gone elsewhere - this species appears shyer than the few Redwings that i have seen here on an almost daily basis.
With Spring around the corner and bearing in mind the lack of migrants, for me, last year it is time to crack on with a bespoke survey of suitable areas for both Goshawk and Raven:eek!: This year we have included another species that is easily much scarcer than Raven and possibly has less recorded breeding pairs than Gos - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We have included this as a number of earmarked sites have what we consider ‘suitable’ habitat for this declining species.
Yesterday we surveyed 2 areas in the Shatterford to Far Forest Triangle. Dry, bright, conditions were good with only a light breeze to contend with. The first site only yielded a solitary Raven but we did hear an LSW calling. This is a site where i had recorded them within the last 5 years but not during the last 2. Of note were several very active parties of mixed Tits and associated Finches feeding high up in the Alder canopy. The former included Great, Blue, Long-tailed, Coal and Marsh whilst the latter comprised Goldfinch, Redpoll and quite a few Siskins:t:
The second site proved more productive with a huge female Gos c/w with full crop in one area and a persistent calling male at another. Several Ravens were noted - they have a habit of dropping out of a clump of Pines calling softly as they do so. This is generally perceived to be males alerting nearby females that there is another presence. There is quite a lot of excellent potential habitat for LSW but we did not have time. Weather is the key factor so the window of opportunity will probably be closed for a few days.....
All surveying is carried out from public rights of way and please do not PM for details as none will be given. Reports of disturbance at the now well publicised LSW site at Dowles Brook only confirms the selfish behaviour of these tog idiots who want everything and contribute nothing - the end result is suppression:C
Good Birding:t:
Laurie -