A Nuthatch Encounter - East Blean Wood 17/02/19

I went to East Blean Wood, after work, to see if I could catch up with any woodland birds for the year.

I started in an area I have not visited before and was thrilled when the first bird that I saw was a Nuthatch (101). I had hoped to catch up with one. It was very active and mainly obscured but I got some nice views. I tried for a photo but did not have much success but it does make a good memory shot. There was a small group of mixed Tits comprising Blue, Great and Long-tailed.

Nuthatch

I carried on and flushed a Woodcock (102). Even though I was keeping an eye out, I had not seen it at all, they are so well camouflaged. It was, however, a very welcome sight. I caught up with a Coal Tit (103) and saw 3 throughout my visit.

Coal Tit

I thought that I heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling but I cannot be 100% sure. It is a long time since I have heard one. I will need to try again and see if I can have any luck catching up with it again. I would love to be able to see one.

I carried on and heard some Jay's alarm calling. A Common Buzzard flew out of a tree on the edge of the wood and soared above me before moving off. One of the Jay's landed in a tree a little way away and I tried for some photos as it was more or less in a gap through the branches. They are beautiful birds. It sat looking round for a while before moving on.

Jay

Jay

I caught sight of a Goldcrest that was busily looking for food and very active. Their calls are too high for me to hear now and I really miss being able to. They are gorgeous little birds.

Goldcrest

I saw 3 Grey Squirrels during my visit. This one was high in a tree tucking into something.

Grey Squirrel

I came across a Bracket fungus and I think that it is tinder fungus (hoof fungus).

Bracket Fungus - hoof fungus

Bracket Fungus - underside

A lot of the moss was showing new growth and some had fruiting bodies on them. They are so delicate.

Moss with fruiting bodies

I finished off the visit with a Tawney Owl (104) calling which made the perfect end to the afternoon.

Birds seen this visit included: 2 Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Woodcock, 3 Jay, 3 Goldcrest, 5 Blackbird, 3 Robin, 1 Wren, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Tawney Owl calling.