Highlights of the week (1 Viewer)

[Evan Atkinson]

Monday: Nothing as I was sick. Saw some tits from the window in the trees.

Tuesday: Some jays flying through, lots of gulls, including a Lesser Black Backed, Jackdaws and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker which flew into a tree whilst I was waiting for a bus.

Wednesday: A very productive day, resulting in 2 goldcrests (got some cracking pictures, but need to lighten them up a little),a flock of 20 or so mixed tits, and a blackbird which sounded extremely unlike one. This was all after school.

Thursday: Not much to report, the birds were not cooperating at all and a small flock of goldfinches were the highlight to a very bland day.

Friday (today): Early in the morning, a Sprawk attempted to catch a wood pigeon, but failed and then turned on the carrion crows. Out on the field during PE, a flock of about 15 Black Headed Gulls on the field, along with 8 starlings. The BHG's were not impressed that the starlings were finding all the food, so subsequently tried to chase them off. They succeeded . As I was walking to drama, I heard the familiar call of a goldcrest, could've been a firecrest, but I didn't see it so I could not confirm it. Currently typing this during my lesson so I'd better get back to my work and I'll update this later today.
Edit: What I believe to be a peregrine made a stoop down into a garden, although it never re appeared so I could never have been sure. During my history lesson I watched two feral pigeons playing tag with each other by running around which was amusing. The flock of pigeons grew to about 50 and then a carrion crow decided to scare them all away by landing next to them. A furious shower of rain approached, although it presented itself with a very bright rainbow and a second one behind. Initially before I took the picture it was a bit brighter, and I’m thankful that my history teacher let us take a picture of it.
Look closely and you can see a second one just below the light reflection
Ev

 

[Richard Prior]

Thanks for your real time update, hope you don’t get your phone confiscated!
So your birding week could be summed up in a link to your drama class- Much Ado About Nothing

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Thanks for your real time update, hope you don’t get your phone confiscated!
So your birding week could be summed up in a link to your drama class- Much Ado About Nothing

🤣 I was on a computer and I’d finished near enough all my work so figured I’d quickly make a post.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Your stooping bird of prey into a garden sounds more likely to be a sparrow hawk; peregrines are far less likely to be seen in gardens. However, you know what you saw of the flight; it may be one that got away, or it may be that when you say “stoop” that is exactly what you meant. Hope you see it again anyway.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Your stooping bird of prey into a garden sounds more likely to be a sparrow hawk; peregrines are far less likely to be seen in gardens. However, you know what you saw of the flight; it may be one that got away, or it may be that when you say “stoop” that is exactly what you meant. Hope you see it again anyway.

I did originally consider sparrohawk, but I saw it had a whiteish-grey rump. Do sparrohawks have a grey rump? It also wasn't going fast enough to be a peregrine and as you said it would likely be a sprawk since peregrines don't usually appear in gardens.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Neither really show a different coloured rump, but sparrow hawks do show white under the tail which can extend up to the sides.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Neither really show a diff

Hmmm ok, I do think it was probably a sparrowhawk then. I did see one earlier in the day but it headed off in a different direction so I'm not sure if it was the same one. But yeah, I think it probably was a sprawk.