dantheman
Bah humbug
Out on the 5th for a run to and around Argal Reservoir. Only new bird added was House Sparrows within 5 minutes of leaving the house! Leaving after 4pm probably contributed to the dearth of birds as the light and activity faded ...
Out again this afternoon (9th) for a longer run - up to the field and then back via the reservoirs. A couple of Woodcock the highlights, frustratingly should have seen one on the deck but I wasn't looking at the point it flushed up c15 metres ahead of me! 14 Great Crested Grebes on Argal Reservoir, and 2 Shoveler out in the middle (first I've seen here - they're usually on College). There were another 8 on College Res, and 2 Gadwall also (along with c120 Coot, 35 Tufties and 20+ Wigeon etc). The Shoveler could well have been fresh in. A few other year additions - both regular woodpeckers, Goldcrest and Fieldfares. Bullfinches are an ideal bird to see in these circumstances - a bright flash of white rump and id clinched!
Fox and Rabbit added to the mammal list, but surprised by a Common Frog crossing the road in the first mile - it was still lightly snowing at this point, and not much above freezing. Total distance c11.5 miles. c38 bird species.
Out again this afternoon (9th) for a longer run - up to the field and then back via the reservoirs. A couple of Woodcock the highlights, frustratingly should have seen one on the deck but I wasn't looking at the point it flushed up c15 metres ahead of me! 14 Great Crested Grebes on Argal Reservoir, and 2 Shoveler out in the middle (first I've seen here - they're usually on College). There were another 8 on College Res, and 2 Gadwall also (along with c120 Coot, 35 Tufties and 20+ Wigeon etc). The Shoveler could well have been fresh in. A few other year additions - both regular woodpeckers, Goldcrest and Fieldfares. Bullfinches are an ideal bird to see in these circumstances - a bright flash of white rump and id clinched!
Fox and Rabbit added to the mammal list, but surprised by a Common Frog crossing the road in the first mile - it was still lightly snowing at this point, and not much above freezing. Total distance c11.5 miles. c38 bird species.
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