Due to snow, I had to walk to work today. Peregrine seen over Town Hall at lunchtime and then, whilst walking home later, Peregrine seen over the river and then landing on high window ledge on old mill behind Daisyfield Lodge. Seemed quite settled.
31 Goosander on the lodge this morning (a good number). Also 14 Canada Geese, 4 Mallard, 4 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 17 BH Gull. One of the neighbours reported seeing a Kingfisher earlier in the week. I've never seen one here, but i'll keep a look out.
Yes I can confirm the welfare of the bird is well covered and Mr Wilson does appear to be the best man to keep an eye on it over the rest of the year and into 2009. well done that man, (oh and thanks for the coffee)
Warfy came round and found the Firecrest again at 1pm. In same small conifer in the middle of the gardens where it seems to be favouring at the moment. Also had Sparrowhawk watching from top of the flats. Firecrest being very difficult to see so it should be safe!
Due to cancelling planned trip for the Melodious Warbler, I ended up just sitting and watchings birds in the garden. Maele and female Bullfinches are now regulars. Pair of Blue Tits active, feeding two youngsters. Plenty of juv House Sparrows and Starlings (at least 6 of each). Also a young Woodpigeon and Collared Dove and a couple of young Blackbirds.
Seems to have been a good year in my garden for youngsters on the whole.
Good morning in the garden today. In addition to the 12 or so House Sparrows, I had a Willow Warbler and a male Blackcap. The Blackcap probably the same as the one I had hanging around last week.
Also 1 male and 2 female Goosander on Daisyfield Lodge. All the Goosanders have usually left by this time of year, but this pair (1 male and 1 female) seem to come and fish every day now.
Took the afternoon off Firecrest watching in my garden. Was watching one in one tree just popping out and straight back in when the other came to the edge of another of the trees. Absolutly cracking views as it made its way across the bottom of some bushes.
I even managed to get a couple of half decent photos this time, which I have sent to Ian to put on the site.
I thought they might have gone by now as I seem to be having a bit of a Starling roost developing in the "Firecrest trees". At least 20 are coming to roost in the evenings.
Now I just want a Waxwing to visit. Not that I'm greedy!
I would like to publically thank Paul (rezMole) for his generosity this morning. Cheers and thanks. Ian
Paul, just noticed your post from 2nd Nov includes a Goldcrest; are you sure??, maybe a slightly different bird???
-- Edited by Ian Campbell at 13:09, 2007-12-16
No problem Ian - so glad you saw it. As for the Nov 2 Goldcrest - I'm almost certain that's what it was. I have had several - but I'll check them all out more thoroughly from now on! Makes you wonder just how many birds like this go unnoticed though. Right, more searching now, before i clean my muddy floor!
Anyway, bird list in the garden for last week reads as follows: Blackbird - 4 Song Thrush - 1 Robin - 1 Wren - 3 House Sparrow - 10+ Collared Dove - 3 Great Tit - 3 Blue Tit - 6 Coal Tit - 2 Long-tailed Tit - 10+ Dunnock - 3 Chaffinch - 1 Woodpigeon - 2 Carrion Crow - 1 Magpie - 1 Starling - 6 Firecrest - 2 Fly overs - Mistle Thrush (2), Cormorants (3), Mute Swans (2), Black-headed Gull (10+).
One Firecrest seen this morning after a couple of hours watching. Seen this time by Ian Campbell, Pete Baron, another Pete (whose surname I forget) and myself. Really good that it was a lifer for Ian.
Always nice to get something exciting in the garden, and they dont come much better than a wintering firecrest! Is your garden open for special visitors over the weekend if the bird is still around?
Only a couple of brief sightings today as the Firecrest flitted between a couple of large leylandii. I did have a nice flock of abot ten long-tailed tits fly through.
Can you send me the photos (doesn't matter how bad!) to judith@gmbirds.freeserve.co.uk for the county report - it's a very good record for Bury and a likely place, being so near Elton Resr as well. Cheers.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
Had the day off to try to get a safety project written up that i'm doing for a course but ended up staring into the trees out of my window watching what i thought was a Goldcrest. However, the more glimpses I got, the more Firecrest it looked. In the end, managed to get a couple of photos - which aren't good, but in which the bird definately looked more Firecrest to me. My other half - who is the ID expert of the two of us confirmed Firecrest from the picture - shame she's at work and missing it.
Think i'm quite chuffed - a nice one to add to the garden list.
I'm off again tomorrow - really must get this work done - some hope, with a Firecrest hanging around.
Had a good hours bird watching from my garden window last weekend. Sigtings were: Blackbird - 5 Song Thrush - 2 (being hassled by the blackbirds) Robin - 1 Wren - 2 or 3 House Sparrow - 10+ Collared Dove - 2 Great Tit - 2 Blue Tit - 2 Coal Tit - 2 Greenfinch - 2 Goldfinch - 2 Dunnock - 1 Woodpigeon - 1 Jackdaw - 1 Magpie - 1 Goldcrest - 1 (a nice record - don't get many of them) Grey Wagtail - 1 (has been hanging around for several days - possible from Elton Res (which is only a mile up the road).
Sue has seen a Dipper just down the road from me as well (Bury Bridge).
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