Monday 30 November 2015

Two surprises

Monday 30 November 2015

Along with the Mandarin, Little Egret and Water Rail a Raven flew over Kronking and a Chiffchaff appeared.

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Usual crowd

Wednesday 25 November 2015

No change on the watercress beds with Mandarin, Water Rail and Little Egret. Couldn't see the Green Sandpiper or Blackcap but I expect they are around somewhere.

Sunday 22 November 2015

Good morning on the Ewelme cress beds

Sunday 22 November 2015

33 species this morning including Little Egret, Mandarin, Green Sandpiper and Blackcap. Also spotted a Grey Heron "fishing" for a bank vole on the side of the beds. Didn't seem to have any trouble swallowing it but flew off to an adjacent tree presumably to digest its catch. Only down side of the morning was the failure trying to download pictures from my camera because of a damaged memory card, though this one I did manage to recover!


Friday 20 November 2015

one down and one up

Friday 20 November 2015

Couldn't find the Mandarin but could still be around but replaced by a Little Egret - first sighting of the winter. Water Rail and Blackcap still around. Blackcap seems to have moved from Buckthorn berries to Spindle.


Tuesday 17 November 2015

He's back

Tuesday 17 November 2015

Not sure where's he been for the last 10 days but the Mandarin was back this morning. During a brief walk round before the work session with the Wallingford Green Gym the only other birds of note were the ever reliable Water Rail and a Goldcrest.


Wednesday 11 November 2015

Like busses

Wednesday 11 November 2015

Wait ages for a Water Rail then two come along. With such a secretive bird you can't help wondering how many are really on the Watercress Beds? Also good to see a small party (4) of Redpoll and a Bullfinch feeding on blackberry seeds. I haven't seen the Mandarin since last Saturday so suspect it has gone - unfortunately.



Sunday 8 November 2015

Patchday challenge

38 species for the day at the Watercress Beds. Good to see Water Rail, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Coal Tit amongst more normal stuff. Shame the Mandarin that has been around for a couple of weeks went AWOL - bet it's back tomorrow!


Wednesday 4 November 2015

Rail at last

Wednesday 4 November 2015

First sign of the Water Rail yesterday - must check records as it seems a bit later than usual. Perhaps not too surprising with the continuing warm weather. Although I've not seen the Mandarin for a couple of days it was back today busily feeding on watercress - wonder if this is known as one of their food sources?
Poor photo I'm afraid but the light on the brightest of days (and it wasn't) is not good under the privet bush.