Sunday 19 January 2014

More patch visits

I have managed a couple of patch visits since my last post and added a couple of nice birds, firstly a WOODCOCK was flushed on Friday (17th) afternoon, just before I came across a smart COMMON REDPOLL and then a male PEREGRINE flew south west as I watched over 450 COMMON GULLS going the same way as it got to dusk.
A short visit yesterday morning added 15 GREYLAG GEESE heading north and a single SISKIN plus another interesting Redpoll which I couldn't decide if it was Common or something else. A KESTREL was also new for the patch year list.
This morning started well with a BUZZARD by the car park and then great views of the FIRECREST, unfortunately not in the best light as I could only get around 1/30th of a second exposure even on ridiculously high ISO, which was shame but I certainly enjoyed watching the bird feeding out in the open for about 5 minutes or more. In the wood a nice flock included 2 MARSH TIT, 1 COAL TIT, 10+ BLUE TIT, 2 GREAT TIT, 12 LONG TAILED TIT, 3 NUTHATCH, 2 GOLDCREST, 2 G.S. WOODPECKERS and 3 TREECREEPER, which kept me entertained for quite a while, further on in the wood another smaller flock included the bird I was really looking for LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER  (57), I managed a couple of shots but despite good light the bird seemed determined to stay in the shade most of the time!

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

11 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Lesser Spot, Firecrest, and Marsh Tit! Excellent woodland species Alan, and on the same visit!!

Pete Woodruff said...

LSW extinct in our recording area and beyond, either that or not a single person has found/reported one in many a year that I'm aware of void of records searching.

So your sighting and more to the point the image of the one you saw is one to turn me green to be honest Alan.

Alan Pavey said...

Really lucky to have LSW on the patch but still don't see them often.





















Marc Heath said...

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing one of those on my Reculver trips, a nicely caught shot Alan.

Greenie said...

Alan ,
Shade or no shade , still great to get a LSW in the viewfinder .
Well done .

Phil said...

Great stuff Alan. Really good to see a LSW even better to get a picture!
Siskin and Goldcrest just about nonexistent at New Hythe this winter so far.

Mike H said...

Very nice to see that LSW shot Alan, reminds me of our trip some time ago now. I did pop into the car park on Friday lunch time and managed to see 3 Bullfinch (2m 1F)a Redwing ,Fieldfare and a fly through female sparrow hawk.

Helma said...


Hi Alan,
You have a beautiful woodpecker managed to photograph. I read that you had spotted a redpoll so I'm very curious about.
Greetings, Helma

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Fantastic little woodpecker.. Thanks for your comment Alan.. Cheers!!!..

Lou Mary said...

Some fantastic birds to add to your patch list! Let's hope we get some better photography weather soon, although I would be more than happy with the Lesser SW image! :)

Magia da Inês said...

°♪♬♫º°

Belo registro fotográfico.
°º✿♫ Bom fim de semana!
°º✿ Beijinhos.
º° ✿✿ ♫° ·.