Friday 3 February 2012

3rd Feb

The last couple of days, Stephen and Dad have had over 100 LAPWINGS at the castle, Dad counted 130 which is a record for the patch. So with this in mind I set off. Again the hop field was busy mainly with MEADOW PIPITS, there were several finches around to including GOLDFINCH and REDPOLL.
Goldfinch

Chaffinch - female

Bullfinch

In the wood JAY calls seemed to be all around but they remained at a distance, COAL TITS were chasing eachother around and a couple of GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS drummed. I looked for Snipe but failed as the boggy area was pretty much completely frozen over as was most of the lake and the small stream that runs behind it!!
There was just a small area of water free of ice

A KESTREL was by the lake, the first for a while and 2 MANDARIN flew over it. Out in the fields there were at least 50 SKYLARK, just 2 LAPWING!!, 10+ REED BUNTINGS and good numbers of YELLOWHAMMERS again. A LITTLE EGRET was perched in an Oak by the Hammer stream. 44 species this morning was pleasing, shame I missed the big numbers of Lapwing but I enjoyed watching a Blue Tit picking at the Bullrushes for nesting material!!



12 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Like that Bullrush/Blue Tit combo Alan :-) In fact they are all excellent photo's, nice work. I reckon your lapwing numbers will increse once the ground thaws :-)

Anonymous said...

Yeah, excellent photos again, Alan

Tammy said...

Sounds once again like a great morning! 44 species is quite impressive. I really like the Blue Tit photos

Phil said...

Very nice pics again Alan. How nice to have a bit of light today.

Ornitocampero.blogspot.com.es said...

the tit pics really interesting...and the buulfinch one of my favourites!
Saludos

Mike H said...

Super shots Alan whilst the bluetit bullrush is a great shot the Bullfinch out in the open does it for me.

Adam said...

Nice photos Alan - got to agree with the others - I'm especially jealous of the Bullfinch and Blue Tit (1st shot). Adam

Brian King said...

Wow! I love that first shot, Alan! That's gorgeous! And the Blue Tit shots are fantastic, too! Great work!

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Warren, thanks, I hope a few Lapwings come back maybe with Golden Plover or two :-)

Hi Dean, thanks.

Hi Tammy, thank you, it was a fairly productive morning :-)

Hi Phil, thanks, I did enjoy some better light my timing of walks recently has been poor :-)

Hi El Campero, thank you, I'm glad you like the pics. Saludos!!

Hi Mike, thanks, as Phil said it was great to get some nice light.

Hi Adam, thank you :-)

Hi BJK, thank you, the light made all the difference :-)

John said...

Hi Alan,
They are some lovely photos, especially the Blue Tit!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

Magia da Inês said...

Muito bonito!!!!
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil

✿⊱╮
¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮

Alan Pavey said...

Hi John, thanks, hope you are well.

Hi Monica, thank you, I'm pleased you like like the phohtos.

Hi Ines, thank you, beijinhos :-)