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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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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Sweden	5 GREAT to see Sweden Back in the fold!