Thursday 27 February 2014

Flappy birds

Review for 22-23 Feb.

A windy kind of weekend but at least it wasn't chucking it down. A few good birds including an early Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Green Sandpiper, and a Corn Bunting. However I still haven't seen a Snipe or Redwing - remarkable!

Mute Swan - 4
Greylag - 50 near Gransmoor
Teal - 80+
Mallard - 100+
Pochard - drake @ Kelk Lake
Tufted Duck - 4
Goldeneye - drake @ Kelk Lake
Grey Partridge - 8
Cormorant - 1
Grey Heron - 38 together near Cattleholmes (photo below). 3 others noted.
Sparrowhawk - 1
Kestrel - 5
Buzzard - At least 11 but probably 13 birds
Lapwing - 22
Woodcock - 1
Green Sandpiper - 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 (an early record, they usually start to appear in March)
Herring Gull - 52
Great Black-backed Gull - 2
Stock Dove - 30
Barn Owl - 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
Meadow Pipit - 2 @ Harpham
Fieldfare - 6
Goldcrest - 4+
Coal Tit - 1
Chaffinch - flock of 60+ @ Kelk Beck
Linnet - flock of 45+ @ Kelk Beck
Yellowhammer - flock of 34 @ Little Kelk
Corn Bunting - 1 @ Kelk Beck

There were 14 additions to the year list, which climbs to 65. Not great but not terrible.

Buzzard. An 'average' adult plumage, neither dark not pale.














One, two, three, four, five, six, seven Roe Deer.














Flappy bird!














Part of the gathering of herons. They're all hunched up and leaning horizontal instead of the normal upright stance because they're sheltering from the strong wind which is preventing them from getting to the nests at the heronry.














Fresh looking woodpecker hole.














Spring is nearly here - bring it on!

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Slowly January

Capsule review for 25-26 Jan:

Miserable weather. Lost most of Sunday to the rain. Didn't take any pictures.

Greylag Goose - 120+ nr Gransmoor.
Canada Gose - 6 with Greylags
Gadwall - 7
Teal - 45+
Grey Partridge - 24
Little Grebe - 4
Heron - 3
Sparrowhawk - 3
Buzzard - 8
Kesrel - 3
Lapwing - 120+ flock at Millingdale
Woodcock - 1
Stock Dove - 6
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
Skylark - 25+ including 2+ in song
Grey Wagtail - 2
Mistle Thrush - 1
Goldcrest - 4
Chaffinch - 25+ flock Kelk Beck
Goldfinch - 22 flock at Lowthorpe
Yellowhammer - 26 flock at Little Kelk

And that's about yer lot. The highlight? Probably the two Grey Wags. But cheer up, the days are getting longer.

New Year list? 51