Today RSPB Geltsdale, Stagsike/Woodland Walk. Nice mixture of habitats. Surprised to see linnet on farmland. Black swan and canada geese on lake, then osprey being mobbed, seen from distance on way into woods. Several meadow pipits and two kestrel. Female stonechat and, saving best for last, female whinchats near Howgill Farm - another first sighting.
Friday 24 June 2011
24th June
Day before yesterday bike ride to Penpont via Morrinton. Bullfinch by station, first sighting for a long time. Also whitethroat on minor road west of Cairn. Return journey ruined by heavy rain.
Today RSPB Geltsdale, Stagsike/Woodland Walk. Nice mixture of habitats. Surprised to see linnet on farmland. Black swan and canada geese on lake, then osprey being mobbed, seen from distance on way into woods. Several meadow pipits and two kestrel. Female stonechat and, saving best for last, female whinchats near Howgill Farm - another first sighting.
Today RSPB Geltsdale, Stagsike/Woodland Walk. Nice mixture of habitats. Surprised to see linnet on farmland. Black swan and canada geese on lake, then osprey being mobbed, seen from distance on way into woods. Several meadow pipits and two kestrel. Female stonechat and, saving best for last, female whinchats near Howgill Farm - another first sighting.
Friday 17 June 2011
17th June
By today the weather was really closing in so the result was a short morning walk in Dunwich Forest before heading home. I might have heard a green woodpecker, but once again, the woodland birds were simply not coming out to play, apart from the several magpies that are everywhere. A brief dartford warbler suspect moved on too quickly to be verified through binoculars. But I did see three male red deer cross my path, already showing impressive antlers. On a last circuit looking for a mystery bird hide shown on the displayed map, a volley of tits passed my way including at least one marsh/willow tit - the habitat would suggest marsh tit but I can't tell the difference with any confidence.
So the woodland exotics - green woodpecker, tree pipit and nightingale will need to be left for another day and only the first two will be possible locally. In a way it's good to know there's still something to aim for near where I live, which is why not seeing sedge warbler or egret didn't concern me much. But I really wanted that woodpecker...
So the woodland exotics - green woodpecker, tree pipit and nightingale will need to be left for another day and only the first two will be possible locally. In a way it's good to know there's still something to aim for near where I live, which is why not seeing sedge warbler or egret didn't concern me much. But I really wanted that woodpecker...
Thursday 16 June 2011
16th June
Walberswick Common drew my attention as possible area for dartford warbler and green woodpecker. Fortunate enough to meet a woman from Natural England awaiting a school group, who gave me a map and some directions so I could plan activities around the anticipated rainstorm, which lasted nearly three hours while I read in the car.
The main targets were not co-operating, even in spite of combing the woodland and getting a little lost right in the middle of dartford warbler heathland. But two very pleasant walks led to jay, reed warbler, bearded tit (including a close-up of a female this time), marsh harrier, buzzard (not so common in Suffolk), cetti's warbler and several rather cocky reed buntings who absolutely refused to leave their favourite bushes when I walked right underneath them. There were also some otter tracks near the old mill.
The main targets were not co-operating, even in spite of combing the woodland and getting a little lost right in the middle of dartford warbler heathland. But two very pleasant walks led to jay, reed warbler, bearded tit (including a close-up of a female this time), marsh harrier, buzzard (not so common in Suffolk), cetti's warbler and several rather cocky reed buntings who absolutely refused to leave their favourite bushes when I walked right underneath them. There were also some otter tracks near the old mill.
Wednesday 15 June 2011
15th June
Minsmere on short break in East Anglia. An incredible visit, in that I sighted virtually every bird I wanted to see in the minimum amount of time. Bearded tit, the main target appeared within 40 minutes of arriving, along with reed warbler.
I pretty much expected to see an avocet from the East hide but to see one ten yards out immediately on entering staggered me a bit. Soon I added spoonbill and flamingo along with various others (that actually interested me less!) thanks to the guidance of one of the RSPB staff. These were: black tailed godwit, gadwall and spotted redshank.
I not only heard but saw cetti's warbler on the way to the bittern hide, where marsh harriers were in action. The occasional bittern was on the move and visible in flight. And then a squadron of hobbies moved in with a spectacular display to feed on the pond dragonflies.
I didn't see the little egret but on moving to the last reed hide, clearly heard a water rail.
Not much was happening in the woodland so I decided to return to the north wall to see if I could improve on the bearded tit sighting, and sure enough a male appeared briefly on the very edge of the reeds.
Many of these spots were aided by wardens and experienced watchers nearby, but eleven first sightings on the same outing has to be a bit special.
I pretty much expected to see an avocet from the East hide but to see one ten yards out immediately on entering staggered me a bit. Soon I added spoonbill and flamingo along with various others (that actually interested me less!) thanks to the guidance of one of the RSPB staff. These were: black tailed godwit, gadwall and spotted redshank.
I not only heard but saw cetti's warbler on the way to the bittern hide, where marsh harriers were in action. The occasional bittern was on the move and visible in flight. And then a squadron of hobbies moved in with a spectacular display to feed on the pond dragonflies.
I didn't see the little egret but on moving to the last reed hide, clearly heard a water rail.
Not much was happening in the woodland so I decided to return to the north wall to see if I could improve on the bearded tit sighting, and sure enough a male appeared briefly on the very edge of the reeds.
Many of these spots were aided by wardens and experienced watchers nearby, but eleven first sightings on the same outing has to be a bit special.
Sunday 12 June 2011
12th June
Visit to Newtonairds Garden with Mum to see hostas. Spotted flycatchers nesting in boxes along outbuilding - a total chance but first sighting for years.
A few days ago a fellow train traveller pointed out a number of cinnibar moths that were eating up all the ragwort plants near the signal box. Apparently they can totally decimate an area of ragwort.
A few days ago a fellow train traveller pointed out a number of cinnibar moths that were eating up all the ragwort plants near the signal box. Apparently they can totally decimate an area of ragwort.
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| Cinnibar Moth |
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