Sunday 27 February 2011
A latrine discovered at the Watercress beds so at least one Water Vole has survived the winter and predation. On a more mundane level 24 species of birds identified with 2 Water Rails seen and Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards and several Red Kites soaring against the blue sky. I can hardly believe I wrote "mundane" in relation to Red Kites and Buzzards - how times change!
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Friday, 25 February 2011
Farm Survey
24 February 2011
Amazingly a dry and reasonably warm survey and what a difference it makes! A total of 33 species identified and 420 individual birds. Highlights included 11 Lapwing, Skylark, a flock of 60 Fieldfare and 20 Redwing, 22 Linnet and 11 Yellowhammer. Great to see so many "glowing" Yellowhammers spread around the hedgerows and, hopefully, planning their nesting activities. Very surprising that this was the first record of Nuthatch for the site as woodland borders a great deal of the site.
Amazingly a dry and reasonably warm survey and what a difference it makes! A total of 33 species identified and 420 individual birds. Highlights included 11 Lapwing, Skylark, a flock of 60 Fieldfare and 20 Redwing, 22 Linnet and 11 Yellowhammer. Great to see so many "glowing" Yellowhammers spread around the hedgerows and, hopefully, planning their nesting activities. Very surprising that this was the first record of Nuthatch for the site as woodland borders a great deal of the site.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Last Winter Timed Tetrad Survey
21 February 2011
A bit of a waste of time as it was my worst ever TTS. The weather was not exactly conducive but just 18 species and 196 individual birds was poor reward for 2 hours survey! Very little worthy of note but 13 Red Kites, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, a Kestrel and 5 Skylark just about worth mentioning.
A bit of a waste of time as it was my worst ever TTS. The weather was not exactly conducive but just 18 species and 196 individual birds was poor reward for 2 hours survey! Very little worthy of note but 13 Red Kites, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, a Kestrel and 5 Skylark just about worth mentioning.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Ewelme and Garden
Sunday 20 February 2011
Just 23 species on the Watercress Beds this morning with no surprises though it was good to confirm that at least 4 Water Rails were present. I would be nice to have some light - might even be worth taking my camera then!
In the garden the usual variety of species; the female Blackcap is still feasting on the fat balls and a female Brambling actually stayed long enough for me to ID it for a change.
Just 23 species on the Watercress Beds this morning with no surprises though it was good to confirm that at least 4 Water Rails were present. I would be nice to have some light - might even be worth taking my camera then!
In the garden the usual variety of species; the female Blackcap is still feasting on the fat balls and a female Brambling actually stayed long enough for me to ID it for a change.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Another quiet wet day
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Working at Ewelme and meeting ITV for some possible filming later this week. In the dull "mizzle" it was re-assuring to hear a Skylark in full song over the beds so spring really must be on the horizon.
Working at Ewelme and meeting ITV for some possible filming later this week. In the dull "mizzle" it was re-assuring to hear a Skylark in full song over the beds so spring really must be on the horizon.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Dorchester WeBS Count
Monday 14 February 2011
Right on cue a pair of Great-crested Grebes were displaying to one another on Valentines day. Although cream crackering (I think the cold took more out of me than I thought) a very good mornings work with 1367 birds of 24 species. Most noteworthy were single Scaup, Red-crested Pochard and Smew and these together with Egyption Goose and Corn Bunting were all new for my year's list.
Right on cue a pair of Great-crested Grebes were displaying to one another on Valentines day. Although cream crackering (I think the cold took more out of me than I thought) a very good mornings work with 1367 birds of 24 species. Most noteworthy were single Scaup, Red-crested Pochard and Smew and these together with Egyption Goose and Corn Bunting were all new for my year's list.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Ewelme
Saturday 12 February 2011
28 species seen on the Watercress Beds this morning including 3 "2011 February ticks" - I can make lists for anything! The three were Song and Mistle Thrush and a couple of Brambling. Blackcap and return of the Reed Bunting to the garden feeders.
28 species seen on the Watercress Beds this morning including 3 "2011 February ticks" - I can make lists for anything! The three were Song and Mistle Thrush and a couple of Brambling. Blackcap and return of the Reed Bunting to the garden feeders.
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