Thursday 24 March 2011

March 24th

Once again it was a pleasure to be out, the car park was again noisy, a Chiffchaff was at the top end several Magpies announced their presence, I did count 11 at the weekend. A couple of Long Tailed Tits stopped briefly and 4 Jackdaws flew over.

A briefly stopping Long Tailed Tit!


The view that greets me most mornings a few yards from the car park
 I decided to do the longer walk via the lake through the woods. The Greylag Geese were again present but down to 3 birds today, a couple of Moorhens chased eachother across the top lake and a Mistle Thrush was singing well, from within the wood. I came across a couple of Treecreepers busy feeding and the Great Spotted Woodpeckers were almost growling at eachother, before one went off to start drumming. Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Jay were also added.

Couldn't resist more Daffodils
Walking along the stream a Buzzard called about 5 times, making me think yesterdays raptor call was still a possible Red Kite. A Meadow Pipit flew north, several Yellowhamers were singing and a Herring Gull flew east. Looking along the line of trees that follow the stream there is one obvious dead branch that sticks up out of the top of an Oak, I always think there should be something on it, sometimes there is, this morning it was a Little Egret, the first for sometime, they don't hang around here much passed April or May so sightings are more sporadic this time of year. A Red Legged Partridge called and I saw 3 Bullfinches on my way back to the car, a total of 8 Chiffcaffs were heard today. Another enjoyable hour or so with 43 species keeping me interested as ever.

7 comments:

Warren Baker said...

That was a good hour out Alan, enjoy the warmth while you can though, as temps are going to half this weekend !

Phil said...

Some good stuff there Alan. I'm envious of your view. Typical Wealden landscape.

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Warren, don't like the sound of cold weather! Unfortunately I don't think I'll be on the patch until Tuesday now :(

Hi Phil, It was a nice morning and I do love that view, it's not spectacular but there is something about it :-)

Bob Bushell said...

Nice place to live, I will look at it more often.

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Bob, the Forest of Dean can't be to bad either, I do think I'm lucky to have this patch on my doorstep :-)

ShySongbird said...

Definitely worth an hour or so Alan! You saw a good amount of species in the time too.

Those Daffodils are beautiful.

Nice to see the LTT enjoying the lovely weather also.

Alan Pavey said...

Hi ShySongbird, It was a busy hour, the Daffodils are really beggining to get going now. I was pleased with the Long Tailed Tit, it's the first one I've managed to get in focus!! :-)