Monday 6 February 2012

Feb. 6th

After watching a SNIPE from the bedroom window in the mist this morning, I decided to head out as the sun finally broke through in the early afternoon. I found the usual FIELDFARE, REDWING, REDPOLLS and GOLDFINCHES in the orchard but picked up a LITTLE EGRET flying towards the castle. Bull and Birches wood was quiet but I did see my first 2 COLLARED DOVES (71) nearby and a GOLDCREST was of note.
Fieldfare

Starling

The Little Egret was soon refound at the bottom of Park Field in a flooded area, this area also held 4 COMMON SNIPE. Through the woods, I heard the LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER again, along with MARSH TIT and TREECREEPER.

Views in Park Field

At the far end of the wood another Litte Egret was seen dropping into the stream and a few COMMON GULLS were again round the pig enclosure. 8 ducks appeared from behind the trees, 2 of which were MANDARIN, both males, I think the rest were Mallard but I got distracted by the Mandarin and by the time I rechecked them they were too far away!! As the Mandarin disappeared 3 GREYLAG GEESE flew east. One YELLOWHAMMER was hopping around where there have been 50-70 recently, as I made my way back a SPARROWHAWK upset a few Woodpigeon and 3 LAPWING shared the field with part of the resident Sheep flock.
Yellowhammer, looking a bit lonely!

11 comments:

Adam said...

Great photos - again!

Adam

Millhouse Photography said...

Excellent shots of the Starling and Fieldfare Alan. Look at that snow! There's none in Lancashire.

Thanks for your kind comment re. the gulls mate.

Tammy said...

Gorgeous views of the park!

Mike H said...

Shame the Yellow hammers have disappeared probably the snow has covered the seed in their field. Hope they come back. Great shot of the one left behind.

Brian King said...

The Yellowhammer shot is really nice! Of course, that big lone tree in the snow is great, too!

ShySongbird said...

Love that photo of the Yellowhammer Alan!

I meant to say on your post yesterday how much I liked the last photo. It looked like a picture from a fairy tale, really lovely.

Unknown said...

Buenas fotos Alan. No te para ni la nieve!
Saludos!!

J said...

Love the Fieldfare shot. Not to mention the beautiful snowy landscapes. Nothing but dreary rain here!

Warren Baker said...

Collard Dove for the year :-) hard to find there then Alan.

Nice set of well taken photo's again today, like the Yammer!

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Adam, thanks, the light was better for these pics.

Hi Christian, thanks, it was a nice walk today.

Hi Tammy, I always think I'm lucky to have these places nearby :-)

Hi Mike, thanks, it did look like it was wondering where all the others had gone :-)

Hi BJK, thank you, there were a few opportunities for pics today.

Hi ShySongbird, thank you, I can see what you mean about that photo of what is left of the castle :-)

Hi Ramon, thank you, Saludos!!

Hi Jeremy, thank you, it was nice that it was bright after having the snow.

Hi Warren, thanks, unbelievably Collared Dove is tricky normally there is one pair but they don't turn up until early spring usually.

Anonymous said...

Excelentes fotografías! las aves tienen algo mágico en su existir, son como ángeles del cielo y en sus alas llevan consigo la libertad...

Bellísimo trabajo, felicitaciones!

Saludos!