Monday 15 April 2013

Dorchester WeBS count

Monday 15 April 2013

Numbers of waterbirds significantly down so at least they think it is spring. Total of 462 individuals of 16 species. Somewhat livened up by my first sighting for the year of House Martin, Swallow and Wheatear.

Saturday 13 April 2013

Has he gone?

Saturday 13 April 2013

Yesterday my overwintering male Blackcap seemed to be on a feeding frenzy. Every time I looked out of the window he was on one of the three fatball feeders almost as if he was stoking up for a journey. Today, although the female has called in there has been no sign of the male.

Thursday 11 April 2013

Blackcap confusion

Thursday 11 April 2013

Now I'm really confused. The male blackcap was busy on the fatball at home as it has been since December and then one was gorging on Ivy berries at Ewelme. So was either of them a spring arrival - or both - or neither taking into account that the Ewelme one was the first one on the site for 2013?

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Spring - not yet

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Thought the Blackcaps had gone from my garden but the female popped in on 7th and the male today. From their behaviour I am fairly certain that they are the overwintering individuals.
On the watercress beds yesterday a flock of about 12 Siskins fluttering around but reluctant to settle and a Red-legged Partridge. Good to catch up on the latter as I have recorded it on my trail camera but not seen it "live" this year.

Thursday 4 April 2013

Chicks!

Thursday 4 April 2013

Pleased to report that the Moorhen nest reported on 13th March has chicks in it. Didn't like to hang around to count or photograph them as with the temperature I don't think they would have lasted long outside the parents feathers. Last sighting of Blackcap was on Sunday 31 March - this was a female, the males not having been seen since about 27th. Still wouldn't surprise me if one or the other didn't return.