Quercus
homo sarkensis
On the 1st of November I moved to the Island of Sark. I'm Head gardener in a private garden on the Island, so I'm out and about all day, everyday, (but not neccessarily birding).
The Garden is in two parts. the main Garden is perched atop a cliff on the more sheltered Eastern coast, about three acres of sub-tropical lovelyness.(Perfect for sheltereing vagrants.. perhaps) The veg garden is a further acre or so, in the centre of the Island's plateau, open to the winds from all directions.
I'm not going to restrict this journal to just the gardens... but as that's where I spend most of my time
Sark seems to be an under watched place, I don't pretend to be an expert birder, but I think i know what's what.
So far my Island list is up to 45, highlights include :-
Early in the month there were several Black redstarts around, both in the village and down at the harbour.
Firecrests are common, especially in the bushy valleys leading down to the sea, at least five were in the main garden on Wednesday.
There were 2 lLittle egretson one of the garden ponds, the island has no wetland areas (the biggest 'lake' being the "Duckpond"... which is, as it says.. a duck pond complete with tame Mallards and Moorhens!)
There seems to be a few chiff-chaffs around, and at least one Blackcap.
La Societie Guernesiaise (Ornithological section) list long tailed tits as rare migrants, they're everywhere!.. I suspect we've been colonised! Am I right in thinking they are a diferent sub-species down here, they look like their black bits are blacker than the Brittish ones!
The Garden is in two parts. the main Garden is perched atop a cliff on the more sheltered Eastern coast, about three acres of sub-tropical lovelyness.(Perfect for sheltereing vagrants.. perhaps) The veg garden is a further acre or so, in the centre of the Island's plateau, open to the winds from all directions.
I'm not going to restrict this journal to just the gardens... but as that's where I spend most of my time
Sark seems to be an under watched place, I don't pretend to be an expert birder, but I think i know what's what.
So far my Island list is up to 45, highlights include :-
Early in the month there were several Black redstarts around, both in the village and down at the harbour.
Firecrests are common, especially in the bushy valleys leading down to the sea, at least five were in the main garden on Wednesday.
There were 2 lLittle egretson one of the garden ponds, the island has no wetland areas (the biggest 'lake' being the "Duckpond"... which is, as it says.. a duck pond complete with tame Mallards and Moorhens!)
There seems to be a few chiff-chaffs around, and at least one Blackcap.
La Societie Guernesiaise (Ornithological section) list long tailed tits as rare migrants, they're everywhere!.. I suspect we've been colonised! Am I right in thinking they are a diferent sub-species down here, they look like their black bits are blacker than the Brittish ones!
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