Whilst testing scopes from the Focalpoint window this morning I picked up a very distant flock of birds which at first I thought were Starlings, but as I paid a little more attention I realised that it was a flock of about 40 Redwings, my first of this 'winter' period and coinciding with a reported arrival at nearby Marbury CP, that our grapevine group alerted us to, after my sighting
When the sun was up today the bird activity suggested a few thermals, at least 4 Buzzards were seen at one time from the shop window, with the possibility of another two close by. A Raven was also seen. The regular two Stock Doves were still visiting the feeders.
At 9.10am this morning a skein of c.70 Pink-footed Geese over the car park at Focalpoint, eventually turned & headed due East, parallel to the M56. Not a common sight around here, but with such high numbers at Burton Mere Wetlands & Burton/Parkgate Marshes I hope they become a much more regular sight
Just to see if anyone else had a similar experience - today from the shop window I had a flock of over 60 Redwings that lingered & fed in the horse fields. They were accompanied by over 20 Blackbirds - presumably continental birds. All these thrushes were feeding avidly no doubt preparing to depart our cold shores soon but again presumably when the freezing, strong easterlies subside. Anyone else noticed a movement of thrushes today or this week?
Doc
250 Fieldfare in the fields around Burtonwood today with apparently 30 present in the same area on Tuesday. Only a few Redwings were noted though.
That was what I though unusual about the flock from the shop, Greg, never seen them there in late March althugh they feed regularly in those fields earlier in the winter. Also never seen such a number of Blackbirds with them - mostly males too.
Just to see if anyone else had a similar experience - today from the shop window I had a flock of over 60 Redwings that lingered & fed in the horse fields. They were accompanied by over 20 Blackbirds - presumably continental birds. All these thrushes were feeding avidly no doubt preparing to depart our cold shores soon but again presumably when the freezing, strong easterlies subside. Anyone else noticed a movement of thrushes today or this week?
The snowy weather made the journey into work today a real pain but all that was forgotten whilst I was showing a customer a scope and a cracking Brambling turned up at the feeders in the Chaffinch flock. I have scattered extra seed down & set up my digiscoping kit ready for its return but so far a couple of hours lkater it hasn't shown up. With patience hopefully it will
Did anyone else notice a big movement of Swallows today?
I arrived at work in horrid weather and as I was opening up glanced out of the shop window to see dozens of Swallows, mostly juveniles, flying very low in the rain over the cattle field. They stayed around, seemingly trying to feed, for about an hour and then were gone and never reappeared all day. A customer rang later & without prompting told me of a large number of Swallows in Bury where he lives and Jane Turner on the Wirral reports, in another forum, that there were large numbers of swallows flying at kamikaze height over Hoylake Beach today.
Only other bird of note in the downpours today was a beautiful male Sparrowhawk sheltering only a few feet from the window - oh why did I leave my digiscoping kit at home?!!
