Monday 6 March 2017

In brighter conditions this morning, my full patch walk yielded 45 bird species, with three of those additions to the March list, one being a year tick  :-)

The new species for the year was the long awaited COOT (67, 51), the first on my patch since April last year! It was on the main lake, where another surprise awaited me - a pair of MUTE SWANS (52), these two species, plus the CANADA GEESE, MALLARDS and MOORHENS made for a nice change from the normally empty water!

The third addition to the March list was a GREY WAGTAIL (53) that flew across High House Lane as I was listening to the MEADOW PIPITS and SKYLARKS that were singing and calling on the adjacent 'Bustard hill'

Just the two raptor species were seen this morning, the female KESTREL at the Greenhouse Grounds, plus a flyover BUZZARD that was being tormented by a couple of CARRION CROWS. Other flyovers included a single YELLOWHAMMER, at least 4 SISKINS, BLACK HEADED GULLS and HERRING GULLS.

I noted a real lack of both REDWING and FIELDFARE today, seems they are heading off back home for the spring.

4 comments:

Marc Heath said...

Nice one with the Coot. A Swallow was seen at Sandwich the other day. Not long now to wait. Better sharpen your pencil!!

Marc Heath said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Warren Baker said...

Poor old Swallow Marc, not quite spring yet! Pencil is sharp and ready though :-)

Simian said...

Well I have 8 days to get migrating chiffchaff to beat last years record....hmmm...im still unsure about this cettis warbler...where did it come from....must be a uk migrating bird I reckon...
whats the scores over your way Warren....over 60 species here, will it be the 100 this year...