Tuesday 12 April 2011

Cool and Bright

It was a nice start to the day as I looked out of the window this morning, I didn't realise quite how cold it was though! So with fleece and scarf on (I know I'm a wimp!) I set off. The song of a BLACKCAP greeted me as I got out of the car and a few CHAFFINCHES called, wandering up to the top of the car park a few BLUE TITS gave away the presence of a large female SPARROWHAWK, that drifted north, I could hear CANADA GEESE, BULLFINCH and at least 2 GREEN WOODPECKERS as I left the car park. I didn't add a lot as I made my way to the lake but at the lake the COOT was still present and the Canada Geese were there as well as the GREYLAG sitting on the nest.
Reed Bunting

Coot

Canada Goose

The REED BUNTING was still singing well from the island, I haven't noticed a female here yet whereas the other territories have certainly had females in the vicinity. Another lone WILLOW WARBLER sang from a Silver Birch by the lake. The wood had most of the usual suspects apart from Marsh Tit and I kept an ear out for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers as Stephen had possibly recorded 4 individuals over the weekend!
Mallard

Greenfinch

Chiffchaff

Once out in the open a MEADOW PIPIT flew north and I only heard 1 SKYLARK this morning but it did feel much windier out here. Despite the wind though, the NIGHTINGALE was actually singing a bit more than yesterday, and as I finished up I heard a SWALLOW go over again heading north.

6 comments:

Rachel J said...

I made the same mistake - setting off without coat today. It looked so sunny and warm!

Greenie said...

Alan ,
Fleece and scarf ? So incredible after the last few days , but I reached for another layer too .
Snap with the Chiffchaff .

Warren Baker said...

Nice outing today Alan, it was cold wasn't it ! Well done on yesterdays new species for the year, I hope to find a nightingale here, but they ceased to breed here a few yeras back.

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Rach, It wasn't a lot better this morning!!

Hi Greenie, I certainly was caught out, luckily my fleece and scarf were in the car, otherwise I may not have got out of it :-)

Hi Warren, That's a shame about the Nightingales, we have 2 small copse that they sing from and I always think that them being here is slightly tenuous.

ShySongbird said...

Another enjoyable visit Alan with plenty of interest.

It was colder here too yesterday and today is much colder, only 8c at the moment! Back to several layers and a heavy jacket.

Lovely photo of the Chiffchaff, I have heard plenty but not managed a photo this time so far.

Alan Pavey said...

Hi ShySongbird, Thank you, There was plenty to keep me interested, despite that cold wind, today isn't quite so bad so far down here, although it's not particularly warm either.
I've had trouble getting Chiifchaff, this one just came a bit closer for a few seconds.