Had a family day out at Buttermere today with also the chance of seeing a few decent birds about too.
Got there around lunchtime and it was absolutely lashing it down. Fortunately after a few butties in the car the rain stopped and it brightened up. As soon as I got out of the car a quick scan of the hillsides picked up a Peregrine being mobbed by a Crow. Nice start to the day!
Wandering down the track towards the lake we passed a field that had just been mowed. Consequently there was a bit if bird activity going on so I stood by the farm gate to check through the birds that were feeding. Most of them were Chaffinches but one bird caught my eye. At first i thought it was a Linnet as I didn't get very good views while it skulked around the clumps of grass but eventually it showed itself and I realised it was a Twite. Furthermore, not five minutes later another 8 flew in calling away as they landed in the hedge to my right. Really wished I'd brought my camera!!
Down by the mere side a family group of six Goosander were just offshore learning how to fish. Interestingly, they were all females.
We then made our way over to the woods past the waterfall and I persuaded the missus to let me go for a little wander on my own. I headed up the hill onto one of the paths that's less trodden than the mere side one. After about a hundred yards I located a group of calling birds in the mixed trees. A look through the binoculars revealed 3 Coal Tits, a female Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and best of all a Spotted Flycatcher. Further scrutiny though revealed another 2 Spotted Flycatchers. In total, two adults and a juvenile.
Heading back I checked out the cropped field again. No sign of the Twite but a flash of red revealed a cracking female Redstart that was taking advantage of the mown grass. I watched it for a while as it constantly flit between the hedgerow and the field.
A really enjoyable day out, just wish I'd brought the camera.
John Tymon Wrote
sounds beltin Nick-that wish id had the camera seems regular,have you thowt of a bridge camera,great for days out when you don't want to carry the big stuff,crackin for macro and landscapes and ok for record shots of birds.The pana I use while my nikons in for repair for the last month has worked a treat and makes me wonder why I carry all that weight around,when a tiny bridge camera is that good-check my flickr,lots of shots with the pana ,not many birds mind as ive seen nowt decent close for a month
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 17th of August 2012 04:42:18 PM
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Aug 16 9:04 PM, 2012
Had a family day out at Buttermere today with also the chance of seeing a few decent birds about too.
Got there around lunchtime and it was absolutely lashing it down. Fortunately after a few butties in the car the rain stopped and it brightened up. As soon as I got out of the car a quick scan of the hillsides picked up a Peregrine being mobbed by a Crow. Nice start to the day!
Wandering down the track towards the lake we passed a field that had just been mowed. Consequently there was a bit if bird activity going on so I stood by the farm gate to check through the birds that were feeding. Most of them were Chaffinches but one bird caught my eye. At first i thought it was a Linnet as I didn't get very good views while it skulked around the clumps of grass but eventually it showed itself and I realised it was a Twite. Furthermore, not five minutes later another 8 flew in calling away as they landed in the hedge to my right. Really wished I'd brought my camera!!
Down by the mere side a family group of six Goosander were just offshore learning how to fish. Interestingly, they were all females.
We then made our way over to the woods past the waterfall and I persuaded the missus to let me go for a little wander on my own. I headed up the hill onto one of the paths that's less trodden than the mere side one. After about a hundred yards I located a group of calling birds in the mixed trees. A look through the binoculars revealed 3 Coal Tits, a female Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and best of all a Spotted Flycatcher. Further scrutiny though revealed another 2 Spotted Flycatchers. In total, two adults and a juvenile.
Heading back I checked out the cropped field again. No sign of the Twite but a flash of red revealed a cracking female Redstart that was taking advantage of the mown grass. I watched it for a while as it constantly flit between the hedgerow and the field.
A really enjoyable day out, just wish I'd brought the camera.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 16th of August 2012 10:18:33 PM
Got there around lunchtime and it was absolutely lashing it down. Fortunately after a few butties in the car the rain stopped and it brightened up. As soon as I got out of the car a quick scan of the hillsides picked up a Peregrine being mobbed by a Crow. Nice start to the day!
Wandering down the track towards the lake we passed a field that had just been mowed. Consequently there was a bit if bird activity going on so I stood by the farm gate to check through the birds that were feeding. Most of them were Chaffinches but one bird caught my eye. At first i thought it was a Linnet as I didn't get very good views while it skulked around the clumps of grass but eventually it showed itself and I realised it was a Twite. Furthermore, not five minutes later another 8 flew in calling away as they landed in the hedge to my right. Really wished I'd brought my camera!!
Down by the mere side a family group of six Goosander were just offshore learning how to fish. Interestingly, they were all females.
We then made our way over to the woods past the waterfall and I persuaded the missus to let me go for a little wander on my own. I headed up the hill onto one of the paths that's less trodden than the mere side one. After about a hundred yards I located a group of calling birds in the mixed trees. A look through the binoculars revealed 3 Coal Tits, a female Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and best of all a Spotted Flycatcher. Further scrutiny though revealed another 2 Spotted Flycatchers. In total, two adults and a juvenile.
Heading back I checked out the cropped field again. No sign of the Twite but a flash of red revealed a cracking female Redstart that was taking advantage of the mown grass. I watched it for a while as it constantly flit between the hedgerow and the field.
A really enjoyable day out, just wish I'd brought the camera.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 16th of August 2012 10:18:33 PM