There are a few bits and pieces to report again this week. The last guided walk of the spring brought 50 species for the morning on Saturday 19th, the highlights being LITTLE OWL, a CUCKOO that was seen flying into an Oak in Park Field and finally the arrival of
HOUSE MARTIN (90) to the castle. A nice non avian sighting was a SLOW WORM, the first I've seen in the area for many years, this was found by people watching where they were going, while I had my head pointed skywards checking for Buzzards and such like!! Later that day a walk with Bec added LITTLE EGRET to the list as it flew high south.
The biggest surprise was Sunday afternoon, we were walking up the bridleway from Digdog Lane when I thought I heard a familiar short song but not one I've ever heard in Sissinghurst before, I dismissed it but a second burst, this time sounding quite close confirmed I really did hear a GOLDEN ORIOLE!!!! I waited for half an hour or so and went back again later but it never sung again and wasn't seen, after spending many hours listening to them and looking for them on the Norfolk/Suffolk border I wasn't surprised, but just a little frustrated not to have seen it. I now face a slight quandary as to whether to put it on the Sissinghurst list, it was definitely one and I count birds heard on my daily walks but I wouldn't put a bird heard only on my life list??
 |
| 'Excuse me but I can't get any milk if you sit like that!!' |
 |
| Skylark |
 |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker |
 |
| Grass Snake |
Apart from that excitement a pair of unseasonal LAPWINGS flew over in the week and a KINGFISHER was seen. We had a few more moths recorded on Saturday morning with 21 species and my first GRASS SNAKE of the year slipped across a small pond as we watched Newts hanging motionless just below it's surface. Sorry about the change of text colour I forgot it did that!
11 comments:
Excellent photo of the Great Spotted Woodpecker!
Bonita y tierna la imagen de las ovejas... Y muy guapo ese pájaro carpintero... Felicidades!!!
Bonita y tierna la imagen de las ovejas... Y muy guapo ese pájaro carpintero... Felicidades!!!
Very well done on the Golden Oriole Alan!!! It must have been very frustrating not to actually see it though. Great photo of the GSW!
That picture of the Great Spotted Woodpecker with prey in its beak for posterity. So I can lay down the wagtail.
Beautiful pictures.
Greetings, Helma
If you heard the Oriole Alan, then it was there! Life tick :-) Fantastic patch record !!
wat een geweldige foto serie.
groetjes Herman,
Alan ,
What a cracking record . There have been a few sightings recently down on the coast .
Not forgetting the Grass Snake of course .
the woodpecker did you meet very nice .. a beautiful series of pictures
regards Frank
Brilliant records and beautiful pictures Alan. Sad we've missed all the official walks so far; hopefully we'll manage one before the year's out. Hope all's well. Miss you being down the road!!
M & D
I vote you put that oriole on the list! Nice great spot pic, I've not seen hardly any this year compared to last year but one flew across the field this morning on my way to work. See you soon, look forward to a catch up.
Post a Comment