Saturday 27 February 2016

747 (Strangers in the Night) - Saxon

After the Icy Blast it was a pleasure to feel a bit of sun on the nape on Thursday, but don't make the mistake of stowing the thermals away, Jack Frost and maybe even his Big Brother may be back early next week. It was a day for confining myself to the Merritown Wood and while all of the bird-life recorded was 'hard won' we did return home with a few images. Talking of which, hands up those who would like to know how our first week or so with the new Trail Cameras has got along? OK, that singleton can put his hand down now while the rest of you avert your gaze!
Also all from Merritown Heath
 RAYNARD
has been on the prowl in a lot of the shots, so
FOX
 New addition to the Trail Cam List (yes there's a List)
RABBIT
and it looks as if the daytime shots may prove to be best but again
Early Days Yet.
 FOX
ROE DEER
and of course, being their domain, the
BELTED GALLOWAY CATTLE
have to get in on the act.
All of the birds in today's Post were initially located on 'call' or 'song'
and then with a little stealth and maneuvering we got to within camera length of some.
However, the first 2, both of which were additions to the Annual County Tally,
didn't fall to the lens at all Siskin and Lesser Redpoll the later being scarce here.
 A female and then a male
 BULLFINCH
 were not so lucky and then after a reasonably long wait
 the next little beauty hove into earshot.
 In fact not one but a considered 'pair', have to be a little cautious
with Political Correctness being what it is but neither was carrying a
multi-coloured flag!
 No, these 2
TREECREEPER
were fully involved in getting it together and to be honest this was my
best ever experience of this tiny woodland bird.
More in a bit!
 That was followed by the 'drumming' of a
 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER
 which was far more interested in increasing the waist-line
 that concerning itself with me........... but the
 TREECREEPER
 were back going through their full repertoire of calling, singing, displaying and
 chasing each other in flight.
Not going to get into National Geographic but we'll accept the 'FLUKE'!
The walk out onto the Heath was met by the gentle grating sound of a
Dartford Warbler
but while a fair time was given to standing quite still and silent it didn't emerge.
The same situation manifested itself half way along the track but at the 
third time of asking, and close to the Airport Fence these 2
 DARTFORD WARBLERs
 appeared at the top of the gorse and started 'displaying'!
ENTER THE 'OAF'!
 We pride ourselves at the Bagsy Blog in never using profanities or bad language
but there are no prizes for guessing what was going through my head
 as this *$^*£" hovered over the very bush.
 He/She continued to fly at 'zero feet' across the Heath backwards and forwards
as if knowing how much it was annoying me.
This even spooked the 4 Belted Galloway cattle, one of which is pregnant,
but now there are several 'irons in the fire' to prevent this happening again.
NOT TO END ON A SOUR NOTE
A THIRD OF A DOZEN INCIDENTAL VIDEO CLIPS.
MALLARD
A bit of a shaky 
SONG THRUSH
Have been meaning to put more water in the Strange Rover Cocktail Bar!
STARLINGs
feeding.
STARLINGs
resting and just so we don't get done under the Trades Description Act
"We got a a
747
coming down in the night there's no power, there's no runway lights".
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Wednesday 24 February 2016

Close to the H'Edge - Yes

The Hedge, planted by human hand and which skirts the Sewerage Work at the very northern most part of Parley Court Farm, is the most prolific and bountiful spot across the whole of our Recording Area for Bird Life. Over the past few of days, in rain, frost and sunshine alike, we have been paying a little more attention than usual to this area to see just what can be found during the average winter day.
BUT FIRST A SONG!
IN FACT WE MEAN A MOTH
 The first
 HEBREW CHARACTER
of the year was in fact caught on 07/02/16, but unfortunately the image
was overlooked, and was the 'third' species secured this year.
On 21/02/16 these 2 were caught along with a single
 COMMON QUAKER
 THE TRIO
LOOKING NORTH
from the East end of the
SOUTHERN PERIMETER
LOOKING NORTH
from the West end.
CHIFFCHAFF
COAL TIT
the first 'returning' bird to this area absent since December.
 
FIRECREST
is searched for every day with yesterday being the first for 2016.
Like the proverbial No 68 Bus once one was found a
second quickly followed along with a very strong suspicion of a 'third'.
 PUSSY WILLOW
CATKINS
looking yellow with pollen.
GOLDCREST
abound here and given the occasional reports we read from
Portland about the lack of
GREENFINCH
due to disease we are lucky to hold such a large and healthy number here.
ROBIN
A most unusual sighting 'in' the hedge
COMMON BUZZARD
are regular 'fly-overs'

but this is the 'first' we have seen perched here.
Since records began at PCF
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF
has been 'annual' but to be honest while a lookout and cock-ear
 
has been kept we were close to
giving up the ghost!
CHAFFINCH
also in abundance
as are
DUNNOCK
Bournemouth Airport is the stronghold for
ROOK
in the Recording Area and there is a small Rookery supporting an
average of a dozen nests close by at the root of Chapel Lane, but
this is the first 'stray' we have ever recorded from this particular spot.

Without doubt the 'bonus bird' of the winter has been this female 'type'
BLACK REDSTART
(a 'first' for the property)
with daily observations showing that while it prefers the sanctuary
of the Works and Hedge alike, feeding seems to take place
in the Solar Panel Compound opposite.
(see top image)
RAVEN
occasionally as many as c5 visit the same compound from time to time,
but it was fortuitous that this individual arrived to be included in this post.
LONG_TAILED TIT
 a clip of a very frisky feeding
BLUE TIT
Close to the Hedge at what has become known as the
Puddle of Mud
 one of at least 2
 GREEN SANDPIPER
stood bolt upright with no movement at all for 10 minutes
before this, and then
 going berserk as if there were a Raptor or another
Green Sandpiper in the area. You should be able to hear it 'calling'.
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