upstarts1979
Well-known member
The partial eclipse didn't have much of an effect on the birds, other than shutting up the BHG's for a few seconds. The cold NW/N wind did dampen the likelihood of any migration, but there were many residents singing, especially reed buntings. Two male lapwing displayed above the Flashes, while BHG and avocets mated on the ground. The eastern field held a good flock of winter thrushes, reminding us that spring isn't here just yet. Although 2 or 3 chiffchaffs was a hint of it not being too far away. I thought the raven nest had been abandoned on Tuesday when engineers were inspecting the top of the mast. But today when a passing raven called, I was surprised to see the female rise up from the nest and reply. On to the Moors, where 3 little egrets were resting on the southern island, while the majority of the shoveler flock slept on the Broadmeadow island. In fact many of the ducks and grebes were asleep, all in all a pretty lazy day.
The lull before the storm, hopefully:t:
Species counts:
FLASHES: - teal 12, shelduck 2, mallard 40, tufted, coot 19, snipe 12, lapwing 5, curlew 6, avocet 24, oystercatcher 24, stock dove 3,raven 2, fieldfare 100, redwing 10, starling 25, cettis w, chiffchaff 2, goldcrest, linnet 2, reed bunting 5 singing
SAILING POOL: GCG 3, tufted 14, coot 10, sand martin, cettis w
MOORS: GCG 5, little grebe 6, shoveler 42 - 45, gadwall 4, teal 4, shelduck 4, pochard 5, tufted 65, coot 65+, water rail 3 calling, lapwing 3, oystercatcher 3, kestrel, stock dove 2, cettis 2, chiffchaff, fieldfare 3, starling 20, reed bunting 3 males singing,
NORTH MOORS:Gadwall pr, teal 7, tufted pr, water rail, cettis w, chiffchaff, reed bunting male singing,
The lull before the storm, hopefully:t:
Species counts:
FLASHES: - teal 12, shelduck 2, mallard 40, tufted, coot 19, snipe 12, lapwing 5, curlew 6, avocet 24, oystercatcher 24, stock dove 3,raven 2, fieldfare 100, redwing 10, starling 25, cettis w, chiffchaff 2, goldcrest, linnet 2, reed bunting 5 singing
SAILING POOL: GCG 3, tufted 14, coot 10, sand martin, cettis w
MOORS: GCG 5, little grebe 6, shoveler 42 - 45, gadwall 4, teal 4, shelduck 4, pochard 5, tufted 65, coot 65+, water rail 3 calling, lapwing 3, oystercatcher 3, kestrel, stock dove 2, cettis 2, chiffchaff, fieldfare 3, starling 20, reed bunting 3 males singing,
NORTH MOORS:Gadwall pr, teal 7, tufted pr, water rail, cettis w, chiffchaff, reed bunting male singing,