3PM -14 YELLOWHAMMER,1 BUZZARD,1 RAVEN,25 TREE SPARROW,PLUS THE USUAL STUFF

39 Tree Sparrows this afternoon - numbers have been going up and up over the last week or so - I am sure we are now pinching birds from Astley Moss!
Male Brambling also present and 2 females at nearby private location
12 Yellowhammers and 6 Reed Buntings also present

A female Merlin hunting the area this morning resulted in a very quiet feeding station.

Very few birds today.

The male Sparrowhawk put in his usual appearance and a pair of Ravens hung around. 6 Stock Doves in the field opposite.

1 Brambling (male)
15 Chaffinch
10 Tree Sparrow
2 Reed Bunting
2 Yellowhammer
6 Dunnock
3 Robin
2 Great Tit
1 Greenfinch

It was nice to sit in the car birding though while my feet thawed out after a morning gull watching on Arpley Tip!

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 18:04, 2009-01-24

Mike Baron wrote:

---

I watched was is probably the same male Spar take a Goldfinch in my garden on Sunday - he plucked the finch and started eating it while it was still alive. I gave up watching when I realised that.

I have not seen any significant numbers of birds at the feeding station for over a week so it was nice to see Phil getting 4 Bramblings!

Happy birding.

Mike

---

I think that sparrowhawk is taking advantage of your good nature,i called into the feeding station on the way to the flash twice,and once on the way back at the weekend and the sparrowhawk was near the feeding station or flying through every time

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON at 10:09, 2009-01-21

I watched was is probably the same male Spar take a Goldfinch in my garden on Sunday - he plucked the finch and started eating it while it was still alive. I gave up watching when I realised that.

I have not seen any significant numbers of birds at the feeding station for over a week so it was nice to see Phil getting 4 Bramblings!

Happy birding.

Mike

Popped in at the feeding station at around 1.00pm today for a quick 20 minutes. There wasn't a lot there to be honest, only 4 yellowhammer but just as I was getting ready to leave a male sparrowhawk flew down the field and perched on the fence post about 10 feet in front of me. Amazing view of this beautiful bird with its fearsome orange eyes. It hung around for a couple of minutes before moving on.

I've only visited this spot 3 times and already I've seen 5 different types of raptor.

Nick

Thanks to Mike Baron for his directions to the feeding station.

Visited yesterday and present were:-

4 Brambling (2 Male, 2 Female)
20+ Chaffinch
3 Tree Sparrow
3 Yellowhammer
+ usual suspects

A great place to get great views from the comfort of your own car.

Keep up the good work!!

Melanie Beckford wrote:

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Visited the feeding station today with Simon,we had really good views from the car.Nine Tree Sparrows,six Yellowhammers,five Redwing and a female Brambling, thanks Mike for helping us find it,was good to meet you

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Very nice to meet you and Simon this morning Melanie. I am glad you got one of the Bramblings - the birds are a bit elusive at the moment. Yesterday it took me 4 visits before 4 of the birds appeared, today I saw 3 on my second visit - none were present this afternoon.

I believe John Tymon also had a Stonechat nearby this morning.

Happy birding!

Mike

Visited the feeding station today with Simon,we had really good views from the car.Nine Tree Sparrows,six Yellowhammers,five Redwing and a female Brambling, thanks Mike for helping us find it,was good to meet you

Today at the feeding station

4 Brambling (2 males, 2 females)
40+ Chaffinch
3 Greenfinch
3 Reed Bunting
13 Yellowhammer
8 Tree Sparrow
2 Bullfinch (male and female)

Nearby:

2 Buzzards
2 Ravens
15 Fieldfare
1 Kestrel

At the feeding station this afternoon between 1.30pm and 2.00pm.

20+ Yellowhammer
4 Chaffinch
12 Tree Sparrow
6 Robin
6 Dunnock
10 Reed Bunting

Also, 2 Buzzard on the adjacent pylons and a Peregrine in the distance across the field.

Mike Baron wrote:

---

This morning:

6 Brambling (3 males and 3 females) confirming something John Tymon and I suspected - first time I have seen all 6 together
24 Yellowhammer
13 Tree Sparrow
4 Reed Bunting
1 Greenfinch
60+ Chaffinch

plus Buzzard in usual spot opposite

---

Same pm mike but well over 80 chaffinch this afternoon.same 6 brambling still there.

This morning:

6 Brambling (3 males and 3 females) confirming something John Tymon and I suspected - first time I have seen all 6 together
24 Yellowhammer
13 Tree Sparrow
4 Reed Bunting
1 Greenfinch
60+ Chaffinch

plus Buzzard in usual spot opposite

Visited Mike's feeding station this a.m. at Waterworks Lane.
Very impressive, lots of birds incl.
8 Yellow hammer, 3 Reed Bunting, 65(at least) Chaffinch,12 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Buzzard, 150ish Fieldfare, 12 Mistle Thrush, 4 Goldfinch, 10 Tree Sparrow, 2 Brambling and 22 Lapwing in the air.
Also nice to meet the man himself
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell at 14:30, 2008-12-29

Peregrine this morning - no doubt attracted by a falconers Peregrine x Gyr tiercel which was up at the time.

A Kestrel and 2 Buzzards were at the far end of the lane - bit of a raptor fest this week.

Within minutes of the falcons departing the following turned up:

4 Bramblings
10 Yellowhammers
8 Tree Sparrows
1 Reed Bunting
40+ Chaffinch

Visit at lunch today in the rain.

The male Merlin was perched on the fenceline approx 400 yds from the feeding station but out of view of the birds there.

On the ground at the feeding station were 16 Yellowhammers, 1 Reed Bunting and 10 Woodies. After 15 mins or so the Merlin suddenly appeared at the feeding station - nothing seemed to see him coming. He then decided to try and land on the back of one of the Woodies!

Birds exploded in all directions - the Merlin disappeared sans Woodie - don't know why he even tried.

Nothing stirred for another 30 mins or so, then 3 Tree Sparrows, 4 Dunnocks, 2 Robins, 5 Chaffinches and 2 Reed Buntings appeared. A pair of Ravens were perched on a nearby pylon - no big flock of Chaffinches and no Bramblings.

Yesterday I popped in for a very quick view mid afternoon - as soon as I arrived a male Sprawk flew in and shifted everything - no Bramblings were present.

Mike Baron wrote:

---

JOHN TYMON wrote:

---

That was strange just e-mailed you with the exact same list i saw at 12-12.15.beltin

---

Hi John

I put some food nearer the road this week now the birds have got used to people being around.

I went back mid afternoon - only the black-headed male Brambling was still around with 13 Yellohammers and 5 Tree Sparrows and 80+ Chaffinches.

Great sitting in the car watching them!

Mike

---

it was very busy at dinnertime,raining hard !but beltin watchin from the car

JOHN TYMON wrote:

---

That was strange just e-mailed you with the exact same list i saw at 12-12.15.beltin

---

Hi John

I put some food nearer the road this week now the birds have got used to people being around.

I went back mid afternoon - only the black-headed male Brambling was still around with 13 Yellohammers and 5 Tree Sparrows and 80+ Chaffinches.

Great sitting in the car watching them!

Mike

Mike Baron wrote:

---

13:00 - 13:20

4 Brambling (2 males and 2 females)
60+ Chaffinch
11 Yellowhammer
2 Tree Sparrow
1 Reed Bunting

---

That was strange just e-mailed you with the exact same list i saw at 12-12.15.beltin

13:00 - 13:20

4 Brambling (2 males and 2 females)
60+ Chaffinch
11 Yellowhammer
2 Tree Sparrow
1 Reed Bunting

Waterworks Lane - 2.00-2.30pm

40+ chaffinches
2 brambling (m & f)
1 greenfinch
8 yellowhammers
1 reed bunting
5 tree sparrows
1 house sparrow (f)
2 carrion crows

Waterworks Lane this morning

2 Brambling
6 Tree Sparrow
6 Yellowhammer
2 Reed Bunting
40+ Chaffinch

Waterworks Lane at lunch

2 Brambling (1 male, 1 female - different male to yesterdays)
12 Yellowhammer
3 Reed Bunting
2 Tree Sparrow
40+ Chaffinch

plus in field opposite

30+ Fieldfare
8 Redwing
4 Song Thrush
2 Mistle Thrush
1 Buzzard

Late afternoon - Waterworks Lane

80+ Chaffinch
5 Yellowhammer
2 Brambling

and 500+ Pink-footed Geese over at 15:20 heading NW

Male Merlin perched on fence post on Waterworks Lane this lunch.

At the feeding station mid-afternoon:

120+ Chaffinch
2 Brambling (1 male, 1 female)
1 Reed Bunting
1 Yellowhammer
1 Tree Sparrow

1 Buzzard on fence post opposite

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 16:13, 2008-12-13

I have set up a feeding station on Waterworks Lane. This morning:

2 Brambling (1 male and 1 female)
5 Yellowhammers
19 Chaffinch
4 Goldfinch
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Redwing

Buzzard, 10 Lapwings and 2 Common Gulls nearby

Grey Partridges have virtually disappeared from these fields from a high of 45 birds in the early autumn. For the last 3 months virtually every time I have gone there a falconer has been present (different guys). I suspect they have been taking birds (I know partridges are their main target) plus the constant presence of raptors may have driven remaining birds away. I have not seen falconers here before - I wonder if they are reading posts I make on here? Consequently I will be careful about what I place on the website from now on!

Yesterday:

29 Mistle Thrush west at 17:45
20+Redwing west at 08:20

Today:

65 Redwing west at 08:15
11 Redwing west at 10:00
Mixed flock of 49 Redwing and 22 Fieldfare south at 12:45
2 Fieldfare se at 15:40 with 17 east at 15:45
23 Grey Partridge
1 Buzzard
1 Goldcrest

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 14:10, 2008-10-19

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 16:19, 2008-10-19

Sid

My head is that dense at the moment I would pity any woodpecker that tried it!!!

Mike

If the birds are landing that close to your head best watch out for woodpeckers!!!

Sid A

Close encounters with a Sparrowhawk this morning.

I was topping up the feeders hanging from the Silver Birch when something across the garden caught my eye so I froze, watching the bushes. Next thing I know a male Sparrowhawk had landed on a branch at the side of my head. He quickly realised I was not part of the tree and flew off - flicking my left ear with his wingtip! Amazing.

Also had a Nuthatch on the feeders this afternoon - first one in the garden. This brings the number of species seen IN my garden to 50.

Peregrine late afternoon on pylon by A49. Also 61 Linnet and at least 12 Grey Partridge

Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and 2 Kestrels also around

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 18:17, 2008-09-14

2 Ravens perched on fence off Waterworks Lane this morning

Maybe Jonathans Risley birds?

1 Peregrine this afternoon upsetting the local Woodies.

Kane

2 Hobbys hunting over Waterworks Lane this morning. Also Buzzard carrying a large prey item.

JOHN TYMON wrote:

---

Mike Baron wrote

Approx one third of the wheat fields have been dropped so far.

get your pied piper wistle out again them rats will be heading for your back garden again

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON at 21:05, 2008-08-25

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON at 21:06, 2008-08-25

---

Last year I shot 11 rats in the garden after the wheat fields had been dropped - annual occurrence that they move in after mowing.

I have noticed that when the Grey Partridges are in the garden they are very aggressive towards the rats and will not tolerate their presence.

Anyway gun is oiled and sights are set...

Mike Baron wrote

Approx one third of the wheat fields have been dropped so far.

get your pied piper wistle out again them rats will be heading for your back garden again

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON at 21:05, 2008-08-25

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON at 21:06, 2008-08-25

Waterworks/Highfield Lanes this evening:

34 Grey Partridge

Coveys of 10, 9, 5, 4 and 3 plus 2 single birds. The covey of 4 was in long grass and could have been more birds, likewise the 2 single birds were in long vegetation and could have been lookout birds for coveys.

Approx one third of the wheat fields have been dropped so far.

This evening - Waterworks/Highfield Lanes

19 Grey Partridge inc a pair with 9 juveniles
2 Pheasants (males)
2 Yellowhammers (males)
1 Sparrowhawk (male)
2 Whitethroats
1 Buzzard

This afternoon - Waterworks Lane

2 Wheatear
2 Grey Partridge
2 Stock Dove
1 Buzzard
1 Bullfinch (male)

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 20:15, 2008-04-27

Yesterday the usual Buzzard was plucking a dead Wood Pigeon. Today it has a dead domestic hen.

Plus 10 Yellowhammers on Waterworks and Highfield Lanes

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 11:49, 2008-03-24

Female Merlin showing well on pylon off Highfield Lane this morning before flying off north.

Waterworks Lane:

4 Corn Bunting
10 Yellowhammer
6 Grey Partirdge

Thursday evening - a Buzzard was present carrying a dead Lapwing - presumably carrion?

This morning - Waterworks Lane:

2 Corn Buntings (on wires singing)
11 Grey Partridge (5 pairs and Billy-no-mates
37 Fieldfare (most of flock out of sight behind far hedge - a flock of 100+ birds here all week)
1 Buzzard
3 Yellowhammers
1 Brown Hare
1 Skylark

plus cock Pheasant in garden is becoming so tame it now keeps staring through the french windows at us!

This morning off Waterworks Lane:

25 Yellohammer
11 Corn Bunting
2 Reed Bunting
2 Grey Partridge
1 Pheasant

This morning

20 Yellowhammer
2 Reed Bunting
2 Grey Partridge

off Waterworks Lane

Beautiful morning - birds singing everywhere.

12 Yellowhammer
1 Corn Bunting
3 Skylark - inc 2 males singing!

Grey Partridge coveys have been breaking up over the last week or so. At dusk tonight 21 birds were seen on Waterworks & Highfield Lanes - 7 pairs, a group of 4 and three single birds. Plenty of calling and several fights breaking out!

Barn Owl around Waterworks Lane this morning

Waterworks Lane this weekend

10 Corn Bunting
12 Yellowhammer
14 Grey Partridge
1 Buzzard
1 Snipe

Waterworks Lane this morning

14 Yellowhammer
4 Corn Bunting
11 Grey Partridge