The late morning birdwatch produced a good clutch of species. First was a Chaffinch followed by a couple of Buzzards. Then Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. A Common Gull flew over and then so did a female Sparrowhawk and, rather late in the day, a Red Kite.
- Blackbird
- Gadwall
- Robin
- Dunnock
- Wren
- Woodpigeon
- Jackdaw
- Collared Dove
- Greenfinch
- Goldfinch
- Starling
- Greylag Goose
- Rook
- House Sparrow
- Blue Tit
- Song Thrush
- Lesser Black-backed Gull
- Great Tit
- Black-headed Gull
- Stock Dove
- Magpie
- Chaffinch
- Buzzard
- Long-tailed Tit
- Goldcrest
- Common Gull
- Sparrowhawk
- Red Kite
That’s a pretty good list and it will take some of Raven, Herring Gull, Coal Tit, Peregrine, a woodpecker or an interesting flyover to push it up to 30 species. Still, there’s a long time to go and the sun is out (some of the time). Lunch in the garden I think.
I’m writing these blogs for fun, but also as a vehicle to promote the fundraising for Steppe Eagles that would have generated lots of money had the Champions of the Flyway bird race been able to go ahead.
If you fell moved to support the conservation of this marvellous bird then please click here.
And here’s another image from Tim Melling to show you what you are helping.
[registration_form]
A really good list for a lowland south east midland garden I would think. Some species on that list are quite scarce on this local patch in Mid Wales near Llandinam. Having just walked the dog along the river in the NR field this side of the river and previously spent 2 hours in my photographic hide (hoping in vain a Kite , Buzzard or Raven will come down to the dead Pheasant bait) my list is a similar length but a different range of species of course. Must get my card back of my beloved so I can donate, she currently has it to do my shopping.
Paul: Have you done the night watch for Tawny owls on your pheasant? They are very regular here – often 3 times a night. Kestrel are regulars too: out of breeding season male now both.
No kites here or Ravens.
Buzzards were keener in the bad weather. Also they are a bit dubious about it on a small stand; that was to keep it away from the dog and foxes. Buzzards prefer their copses on the ground. Magpies and Jays are a bit jumpy on a stand but they spend more of their time under the bird feeder.
You don’t mention carrion crows. Unlike Mark’s carrion crows ours don’t feast on pheasant, more grub round in the field over the fence. Round here If I want to see crows and corvids in general they are usually on one of the maize pheasant covers near a cops they favour. The other place to see corvids was the free range pigs units until they introduced bird proof feeders for some of the pigs. These two sources of food must have had a larger effect on numbers than the odd corpse.
Crows are very smart and may just keep away from the house but they are also smart enough to know we are not about early in the morning . One year some time ago one family came to pheasants near the house early in the morning. I am sure it was the same family that came to the peanut feeder and lifted it off and dropped it on the ground so it spilled open then they all ate the nuts. I am sure it was only one smart bird that did the trick and lead the family.
I am trying to photograph so no I have not watched at night as I don’t have the lighting equipment and anyway Tawnies are very scarce here, don’t know why although it could be because most of the grassland is either eaten very short by sheep or is reseeded.
My partner walked the dog yesterday evening and put a buzzard off the pheasant– typical, I suspect the pheasant will have been removed by the local foxes overnight but I have another to go out.