There was a bit of a frost at 03:00 on New Year's morning which was the time we started out New Year's Day Twitch confined to our own Recording Area. Just a hour on Owl Patrol without result so best bet was to return to the hammock! Not always fully reliable, but the forecast for the day pointed to a game of 2 halves, calm and dry throughout the forenoon followed by a wet pm, on the strength of that we made our plan. Fortunately, it was pin-point accurate so the walk of just about every inch of the Southern Sector was dry and without hardly a breath of wind. The 'dawn chorus' consisted of a combination of
ROBIN
over-flying
CARRION CROWs
CARRION CROWs
BLACKBIRD
SONG THRUSH
PHEASANT
WOOD PIGEON
WREN
and
MAGPIE
MAGPIE
if indeed that qualifies as a song?
Before arriving at
Before arriving at
PARLEY POND
BLACK-HEADED GULL
were already there and also feeding in the nearby paddocks while
were already there and also feeding in the nearby paddocks while
MALLARD
much reduced in numbers seem content to cruise the watercourse.
much reduced in numbers seem content to cruise the watercourse.
MOORHEN
now also seem to favour the lush grass of the paddocks, where there
were already c10 hard at it. What turned out to be the 'bonus' of the day
was the
LITTLE GREBE
which only arrived there a couple of days ago and proved not to be
the 'long-stayer' from the Gravel Pit. However, that individual although
recorded over the past 2 month was not found on the day.
A short detour to the Harbins Bird Table was something of a damp squib
as only
HOUSE SPARROW
BLUE TIT
and a single
GOLDFINCH
were showing any interest. Absent and not seen over the course of the day were
Great Spotted Woodpecker and Collared Dove.
now also seem to favour the lush grass of the paddocks, where there
were already c10 hard at it. What turned out to be the 'bonus' of the day
was the
LITTLE GREBE
which only arrived there a couple of days ago and proved not to be
the 'long-stayer' from the Gravel Pit. However, that individual although
recorded over the past 2 month was not found on the day.
A short detour to the Harbins Bird Table was something of a damp squib
as only
HOUSE SPARROW
BLUE TIT
and a single
GOLDFINCH
were showing any interest. Absent and not seen over the course of the day were
Great Spotted Woodpecker and Collared Dove.
The
RIVER STOUR
was already at High Tide but the little overnight rain seemed to have swollen it even more?
RIVER STOUR
was already at High Tide but the little overnight rain seemed to have swollen it even more?
COMMON BUZZARD
flew over as half a dozen
flew over as half a dozen
CORMORANT
were flushed from riverside trees.
With only a single Cetti's Warbler recorded last year there was little hope
of one on the day, and what self respecting Kingfisher was going to lend
itself to these flooded conditions - NONE! However, a couple of
were flushed from riverside trees.
With only a single Cetti's Warbler recorded last year there was little hope
of one on the day, and what self respecting Kingfisher was going to lend
itself to these flooded conditions - NONE! However, a couple of
GREEN WOODPECKER
were yaffling in the distance and as ever it didn't take long to find a
were yaffling in the distance and as ever it didn't take long to find a
PIED WAGTAIL
It would have been a sad day if
GOLDCREST
had not been found along this stretch, one of their favourite areas as is for
DUNNOCK
While both Northern Thrushes betrayed their presence on call
FIELDFARE
was first to show followed by a fairly long
GREY HERON
HERRING GULL
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL
LONG-TAILED TIT
ROOK
JACKDAW
STARLING
interlude, that
REDWING
(far more numerous on the 'day count) put in an appearance.
MUTE SWAN
(one of several images from the archive herein)
is the one that graced the Parley Court Farm
Christmas Invitation Cards
Just wait until we get the 'ROYALTIES', then we'll have a real party.
PS - it might be a while?
CHAFFINCH
and
GREENFINCH
in quick succession preceded what had to be the
Bird of the Day
LITTLE EGRET
a little sporadic hereabouts.
MEADOW PIPIT
and
GREAT TIT
were both a long time coming, and it was a further very muddy walk
to secure
STOCK DOVE
in the Maize Stubble Field.
Only a single male
REED BUNTING
was recorded all day and it was though unusual to find a small flock of
LINNET
at this end of the farm.
It was noon when we started to head North but not before recording
the demise of the
DOVECOT,
last years breeding site for the local Tawny Owl,
a victim of the high winds, and the first
DAFFODILS
seemingly seeking a lee behind a Staddle Stone, plus 'dipping' on
Grey Wagtail at the Equestrian Centre - who'd a thought it?
That's when the rain started and a blessing went up that at least this
section can be covered in your average
STRANGE ROVER.
No Bullfinch on the road to Eco and none anywhere else come to that,
but a
KESTREL
was perched waiting outside of the Re-Cycling Works.
STONECHAT
have been absent, or more likely overlooked, recently so welcome
to find one at the Solar Panel Farm along with just a single
COAL TIT
at the Sewerage Works.
It was the huge muddy puddle left by the contractors that
produced the only
GREY WAGTAIL
of the day, but not so the Green Sandpiper as previously.
It was only the fact that the Moors River was also swollen that brought both
TEAL
and
CANADA GEESE
to light, had it not been so they would not have been paddling around the open fields.
The rain was now hammering down and another quirk of fate sent us to
complete the great circle track rather that retrace our steps
which resulted in finding c4
MISTLE THRUSH
the 46th and final specie of the day. The only Mammal seen was Roe Deer
and while we are not going to break any record (not that we want to)
it was fantastic to be out in this small corner of PARADISE once again.
WE'VE SAID IT BEFORE and WE'LL SAY IT AGAIN
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our
VALUED READERS
PASS THE LINK ON PLEASE!
UK did sneak into Pole Position for a short time yesterday, but it was short. Welcome back Germany!
