After a quiet weekend back on track today with 28 species seen with 3 new additions to the list.
All 3 seen from upstairs south facing rear bedroom which overlooks the Bridgewater Canal.
No 44 - Linnet singing for 5 minutes at top of silver birch tree.
No 45 - Moorhen milling about on the canal.
No 46 - Early evening fly past of a single House Martin heading eastwards.
Never seen so many Black Headed Gulls, they're constantly patrolling up & down the canal - think it might have something
to do with the heavily increased presence of exercising people & they're waiting for discarded scraps.
Lez Fairclough said
Wed Apr 15 9:19 PM, 2020
26 species was today's total which included No 43 for the list a very brief 'calling' visit from a Willow Warbler.
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Apr 14 8:30 PM, 2020
Quieter day today with only 22 species seen & no additions to the list
apart from forgetting to add the Lesser Black Backed Gull from yesterday as No 42.
The Heron once again went over early afternoon but this time circled quite low & calling very noisily.
Still very quiet for Hirundines & not yet seen or heard the usual Willow Warblers, Linnets & Common Whitethroats.
Lez Fairclough said
Mon Apr 13 10:28 PM, 2020
An unexpected beautiful afternoon sunbathing, doing crosswords but mostly birdwatching with excellent results
4 additions to the lockdown list bringing it to 41, & an amazing daily total of 32 species seen :-
Blackbird
Blackcap
Black Headed Gull
Blue Tit
Bullfinch (No 38)
Carrion Crow
Chiffchaff
Coal Tit (No 39)
Collared Dove
Common Gull
Dunnock
Feral Pigeon
Goldcrest
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Grey Wagtail (No 40)
Heron
House Sparrow
Kestrel
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Long Tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Mute Swan
Nuthatch
Peregrine
Robin
Song Thrush
Starling
Treecreeper (No 41)
Wood Pigeon
Wren
Lez Fairclough said
Sun Apr 12 9:21 PM, 2020
Whilst in the garden early p.m. I heard a very noisy group of gulls overhead so grabbed my binoculars - it contained calling Herring Gulls (No.36)
mixed in with Common & Black Headed Gulls. I then noticed soaring way above them 3 Swifts (No. 37) which wouldn't have been seen otherwise.
The Heron & calling Pied Wagtail once again flew over & the singing male Blackcap made regular visits to the silver birch just over the fence.
Lez Fairclough said
Sun Apr 12 12:58 AM, 2020
3 Buzzards were circling & drifting eastwards late this morning.
The male Blackcap also made a brief singing visit early afternoon,
followed shortly by 2 low flying Mute Swans - its amazing the humming noise their wings give off, there's nothing quite like it.
Late afternoon brought a Grey Heron flying over for No. 35 on my list,
also the Tawny Owl in the nearby woods was very vociferous tonight.
My supplies of small seed have run out for the feeders & was wondering is this an essential food item ?
to me & probably everyone on this forum it is, but is it worth the risk venturing out for - probably not - sorry birdies !
Lez Fairclough said
Fri Apr 10 12:11 AM, 2020
No. 34 for my list was a Male Blackcap singing in the tree just over the fence
also my first ever garden sighting of an Orange Tip butterfly this afternoon.
Still very quiet for Finches which apart from Greenfinch are usually very common at this time of year.
Lez Fairclough said
Sun Apr 5 9:54 PM, 2020
The predicted nice weather never materialised & it was quite blustery & chilly at times but still managed
an hour in the back garden early afternoon.
All in the space of 5 minutes I was able to add 3 more to my lockdown list now standing at 33 :-
A Pied Wagtail calling flew low over the garden followed by a much higher single Sand Martin &
just across the canal only 75 yds away a Kestrel was hovering & way above it a Buzzard circling & calling.
After an absence of over a week the Nuthatch was a welcome return to the feeders.
Despite the lack of sunshine there were plenty of Peacock butterflies & some bonny looking bumble bees.
Lez Fairclough said
Sat Apr 4 9:18 PM, 2020
No.30 for my list was a female Chaffinch that momentarily visited the peanut feeder late afternoon.
Hopefully I'll be soaking up the nice weather tomorrow & maybe see a few more returning migrants brought
up with the southerly winds.
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Mar 31 10:21 PM, 2020
Today's addition to my C.V. list (No.29) was 2 Canada Geese passing on the canal.
Overhead 3 Buzzards were circling & heading east towards Astley - maybe the same 3 you saw Ian?
Never seem to see Greenfinch round here yet they're reported fairly regularly only a mile away in Astley.
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Mar 31 12:15 AM, 2020
The past couple of days have been relatively quiet with no further additions to my list.
Today's highlight however was watching a courtship & mating display by the 2 resident Woodpigeons.
The Nuthatch which was probably the most frequent visitor 3 days ago has not been seen since
& I can only assume it was 'panic stockpiling' in case there's an avian lockdown!
Lez Fairclough said
Sat Mar 28 10:36 PM, 2020
Only a Feral pigeon to add to my C V list today.
Bridgewater Canal tow path to rear of property looked like a sponsored walk & bike rally there was that many of them!
I have noticed that out of all the small birds that visit my garden, Dunnocks despite being agile enough never bother
with the hanging feeders & are just happy to skulk around underneath tidying up the overspill from the feeders.
Lez Fairclough said
Sat Mar 28 1:16 AM, 2020
Still no additions to my C.V. list today - but a very peculiar visitor was a Long Tailed Tit minus its tail! which I know is an anomaly but surely is the smallest bird in Britain as its body
length is shorter than that of a Goldcrest or Firecrest - I wasn't quick enough to get a picture & just hope it returns before a raptor gets it, as it flew very clumsily but still kept up with
the other Long Tailed Tits.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Saturday 28th of March 2020 01:18:07 AM
Lez Fairclough said
Sat Mar 28 1:02 AM, 2020
Richard Thew wrote:
Lez Fairclough wrote:
Thankyou for your comments Richard & it's nice to know that I'm not the only one trying to become the next Dr Dolittle!
Just out of boredom I've managed to closely copy the call of a Collared Dove just by cupping my hands & blowing into them, which
today caused quite a frenzy from the resident pair, one of which attempted to land on my head! Never been this popular with birds before!
I know how you feel. I used to work with wild birds (looking after sick and injured ones) and I was often imitating the birds we have: the only reaction I got however, was the irritation from the other workers there as they kept thinking it was the real thing!!!
Sounds like your doves have taken a fancy to your imitation of them!
Richard Thew said
Fri Mar 27 10:13 AM, 2020
Lez Fairclough wrote:
Just out of boredom I've managed to closely copy the call of a Collared Dove just by cupping my hands & blowing into them, which
today caused quite a frenzy from the resident pair, one of which attempted to land on my head! Never been this popular with birds before!
I know how you feel. I used to work with wild birds (looking after sick and injured ones) and I was often imitating the birds we have: the only reaction I got however, was the irritation from the other workers there as they kept thinking it was the real thing!!!
Sounds like your doves have taken a fancy to your imitation of them!
Lez Fairclough said
Thu Mar 26 10:22 PM, 2020
No further additions to my list today but did hear a Tawny Owl calling this evening from the neighbouring woods.
Just out of boredom I've managed to closely copy the call of a Collared Dove just by cupping my hands & blowing into them, which
today caused quite a frenzy from the resident pair, one of which attempted to land on my head! Never been this popular with birds before!
Lez Fairclough said
Wed Mar 25 8:58 PM, 2020
A lazy 2 hours early afternoon spent on the lounger in beautiful sunshine.
So nice to lie there relaxing (in such worrying times) with the only sound being that of birdlife - only to be interrupted by someone slam dunking pots in the sink!
On a more serious note 27 species seen today in total with 15 being in or on the garden feeders & 12 seen with naked eye in the surrounding external garden areas.
15 inner garden birds :- Robin; Dunnock; House Sparrow; Starling; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Willow Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Wren; Blackbird; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Nuthatch & a Goldcrest that landed momentarily on the house brickwork looking for insects.
12 outer garden birds :- Song Thrush; Goldfinch; Chiffchaff
On Bridgewater canal - Mallard & Mute Swan
In flight - Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Black Headed Gull; Common Gull; Buzzard; Heron; Peregrine.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Wednesday 25th of March 2020 09:00:47 PM
Lez Fairclough said
Wed Mar 25 8:21 PM, 2020
Small south facing garden with no trees but benefits from spare land over the fence to the south containing hawthorn, elderberry & plenty of brambles & is only 10 yards from the Bridgewater Canal. 50 yards to the east is Bedford Brook & a private woods which is where the majority of birds come to the feeders from.
Nothing new for the list but nice to see plenty of juvenile Tits, House Sparrows & Starlings visiting the feeders.
Also nice to watch the Starlings with juveniles enjoying the bird bath. Once one takes the plunge it becomes a
free for all & up to 10 at once can be going for it.
On a sad note I found a dead juvenile Magpie just over the fence with no noticeable injuries.
No 55 for the list is an Oystercatcher heard twice in the last 3 days.
Yesterday 2 Magpies were chasing a group of fledgling Starlings but didn't see the outcome though as they went to ground.
The Nuthatch is regularly visiting the feeders now & both a Willow & Coal Tit made brief visits today.
Swifts are ever present overhead & an unidentified small & very narrow winged Tern flew down the canal
it was definitely not a common & suspect it could be the Arctic which was seen at Pennington Flash recently.
Having to resort to 'heard only' now for furthering the list with Tawny Owl, Pheasant & Common Whitethroat
taking the list up to 54.
Nice to see a few juvenile Robins, House Sparrows & very noisy Starlings visiting the feeders.
Magpies are now coming right to the back door stealing cat biscuits with the Carrion Crow inching
ever closer along the fence but isn't brave enough yet to steal an easy meal.
Ever seen a Carrion Crow doing acrobatics on a washing line ?
I put out some bacon & pork fat for the 'little birds' this afternoon & couldn't believe what I saw an hour later!
Yes a Carrion Crow trying to balance on the washing line while looting the treat for the 'little birds'
with its mate just over the fence watching the acrobatics (pics Attached)
Both early & late afternoon flyovers of a Hobby - obviously it could be the same bird but that's No.51 for the list.
The Nuthatch has been making regular visits the past couple of days to the feeders & rather comically runs around
them chasing off any other feeding birds which it hasn't done before, so I assume its feeding young now.
About 4 weeks ago I commented on how I never ever get Greenfinch in the garden or on the feeders then
lo and behold at dinner time today a female Greenfinch came for a good feed - but not long enough for me
to capture a picture but hopefully it will return.
That rounds my lockdown list up to 50.
Not expecting many more additions to the lockdown list but just had 2 Common Terns (18:30) flying east down the
Bridgewater Canal to bring the list to 49.
Yesterday both male & female Blackbirds put up a truly defiant & extremely noisy show in chasing off a Magpie
that was threatening their recently hatched nest in next doors bushes - it was enough to see off any bird any size! hopefully even cats!!
One of my feeders contains peanuts which sometimes get trapped so usually every day I give it a shake, but due to the
poor weather I forgot yesterday. Not to be done out of its daily feast a Great Tit was furiously pecking at the clogged chute &
finally dislodged its reward - clever little things !
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Thursday 30th of April 2020 10:04:50 PM
Up until 2 weeks ago I've only ever had fly overs from Carrion Crows, but the last few days one is curiously visiting the garden.
Today it landed on the fence next to the feeders & yesterday was getting territorial by harassing any of the many Black Backed Gulls
patrolling up & down the nearby canal - maybe there's a nest close by?
Much quieter day on the feeders & just as I thought I was going to draw a blank I noticed 2 large birds in an aerial cavort.
Out came the binoculars to reveal a Carrion Crow & Sparrowhawk (No 48) doing what looked more like a dance to swan lake!
it was very graceful & in no way aggressive almost as if they were friends & had rehearsed it.
No additions to the lockdown list but a lot of activity on the feeders today.
The Nuthatch made a few visits to the feeders after being missing for almost 3 weeks.
Willow Tit, Coal Tit & many Blue, Great & Long Tailed Tits were also feeder visitors with a Collared Dove on the fence close by.
Although Goldfinch have been frequent visitors to the nearby trees, today was the first time this year they've been on the feeders.
A hovering Kestrel over fields just beyond the canal, a Heron flying over & a surprising perched Carrion Crow just beyond the rear
fence were the only other highlights.
My first Swallow of the year is No 47 for the lockdown list,
also a Green Shield Bug that found its way into my empty cup of tea (pic attached)
After a quiet weekend back on track today with 28 species seen with 3 new additions to the list.
All 3 seen from upstairs south facing rear bedroom which overlooks the Bridgewater Canal.
No 44 - Linnet singing for 5 minutes at top of silver birch tree.
No 45 - Moorhen milling about on the canal.
No 46 - Early evening fly past of a single House Martin heading eastwards.
Never seen so many Black Headed Gulls, they're constantly patrolling up & down the canal - think it might have something
to do with the heavily increased presence of exercising people & they're waiting for discarded scraps.
26 species was today's total which included No 43 for the list a very brief 'calling' visit from a Willow Warbler.
Quieter day today with only 22 species seen & no additions to the list
apart from forgetting to add the Lesser Black Backed Gull from yesterday as No 42.
The Heron once again went over early afternoon but this time circled quite low & calling very noisily.
Still very quiet for Hirundines & not yet seen or heard the usual Willow Warblers, Linnets & Common Whitethroats.
An unexpected beautiful afternoon sunbathing, doing crosswords but mostly birdwatching with excellent results
4 additions to the lockdown list bringing it to 41, & an amazing daily total of 32 species seen :-
Blackbird
Blackcap
Black Headed Gull
Blue Tit
Bullfinch (No 38)
Carrion Crow
Chiffchaff
Coal Tit (No 39)
Collared Dove
Common Gull
Dunnock
Feral Pigeon
Goldcrest
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Grey Wagtail (No 40)
Heron
House Sparrow
Kestrel
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Long Tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Mute Swan
Nuthatch
Peregrine
Robin
Song Thrush
Starling
Treecreeper (No 41)
Wood Pigeon
Wren
Whilst in the garden early p.m. I heard a very noisy group of gulls overhead so grabbed my binoculars - it contained calling Herring Gulls (No.36)
mixed in with Common & Black Headed Gulls. I then noticed soaring way above them 3 Swifts (No. 37) which wouldn't have been seen otherwise.
The Heron & calling Pied Wagtail once again flew over & the singing male Blackcap made regular visits to the silver birch just over the fence.
3 Buzzards were circling & drifting eastwards late this morning.
The male Blackcap also made a brief singing visit early afternoon,
followed shortly by 2 low flying Mute Swans - its amazing the humming noise their wings give off, there's nothing quite like it.
Late afternoon brought a Grey Heron flying over for No. 35 on my list,
also the Tawny Owl in the nearby woods was very vociferous tonight.
My supplies of small seed have run out for the feeders & was wondering is this an essential food item ?
to me & probably everyone on this forum it is, but is it worth the risk venturing out for - probably not - sorry birdies !
No. 34 for my list was a Male Blackcap singing in the tree just over the fence
also my first ever garden sighting of an Orange Tip butterfly this afternoon.
Still very quiet for Finches which apart from Greenfinch are usually very common at this time of year.
The predicted nice weather never materialised & it was quite blustery & chilly at times but still managed
an hour in the back garden early afternoon.
All in the space of 5 minutes I was able to add 3 more to my lockdown list now standing at 33 :-
A Pied Wagtail calling flew low over the garden followed by a much higher single Sand Martin &
just across the canal only 75 yds away a Kestrel was hovering & way above it a Buzzard circling & calling.
After an absence of over a week the Nuthatch was a welcome return to the feeders.
Despite the lack of sunshine there were plenty of Peacock butterflies & some bonny looking bumble bees.
No.30 for my list was a female Chaffinch that momentarily visited the peanut feeder late afternoon.
Hopefully I'll be soaking up the nice weather tomorrow & maybe see a few more returning migrants brought
up with the southerly winds.
Today's addition to my C.V. list (No.29) was 2 Canada Geese passing on the canal.
Overhead 3 Buzzards were circling & heading east towards Astley - maybe the same 3 you saw Ian?
Never seem to see Greenfinch round here yet they're reported fairly regularly only a mile away in Astley.
The past couple of days have been relatively quiet with no further additions to my list.
Today's highlight however was watching a courtship & mating display by the 2 resident Woodpigeons.
The Nuthatch which was probably the most frequent visitor 3 days ago has not been seen since
& I can only assume it was 'panic stockpiling' in case there's an avian lockdown!
Only a Feral pigeon to add to my C V list today.
Bridgewater Canal tow path to rear of property looked like a sponsored walk & bike rally there was that many of them!
I have noticed that out of all the small birds that visit my garden, Dunnocks despite being agile enough never bother
with the hanging feeders & are just happy to skulk around underneath tidying up the overspill from the feeders.
Still no additions to my C.V. list today - but a very peculiar visitor was a Long Tailed Tit minus its tail! which I know is an anomaly but surely is the smallest bird in Britain as its body
length is shorter than that of a Goldcrest or Firecrest - I wasn't quick enough to get a picture & just hope it returns before a raptor gets it, as it flew very clumsily but still kept up with
the other Long Tailed Tits.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Saturday 28th of March 2020 01:18:07 AM
I know how you feel. I used to work with wild birds (looking after sick and injured ones) and I was often imitating the birds we have: the only reaction I got however, was the irritation from the other workers there as they kept thinking it was the real thing!!!
Sounds like your doves have taken a fancy to your imitation of them!
No further additions to my list today but did hear a Tawny Owl calling this evening from the neighbouring woods.
Just out of boredom I've managed to closely copy the call of a Collared Dove just by cupping my hands & blowing into them, which
today caused quite a frenzy from the resident pair, one of which attempted to land on my head! Never been this popular with birds before!
A lazy 2 hours early afternoon spent on the lounger in beautiful sunshine.
So nice to lie there relaxing (in such worrying times) with the only sound being that of birdlife - only to be interrupted by someone slam dunking pots in the sink!
On a more serious note 27 species seen today in total with 15 being in or on the garden feeders & 12 seen with naked eye in the surrounding external garden areas.
15 inner garden birds :- Robin; Dunnock; House Sparrow; Starling; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Willow Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Wren; Blackbird; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Nuthatch & a Goldcrest that landed momentarily on the house brickwork looking for insects.
12 outer garden birds :- Song Thrush; Goldfinch; Chiffchaff
On Bridgewater canal - Mallard & Mute Swan
In flight - Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Black Headed Gull; Common Gull; Buzzard; Heron; Peregrine.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Wednesday 25th of March 2020 09:00:47 PM
Small south facing garden with no trees but benefits from spare land over the fence to the south containing hawthorn, elderberry & plenty of brambles & is only 10 yards from the Bridgewater Canal. 50 yards to the east is Bedford Brook & a private woods which is where the majority of birds come to the feeders from.