A Firecrest Gem and a Short-eared Owl - Shuart to Chambers Wall 23/10/19

I started out from Shuart today, mid-morning, and aimed for a wander through to Chambers Wall. It was an overcast day with an easterly wind and a few spots of rain here and there. A couple of RIng-necked Parakeet were calling noisily as I arrived. There seemed to be less Chiffchaff around than my last visit as I headed down the track. A little group of 3 Goldcrests were busy looking for insects as they worked their way though some ivy. A Bullfinch dropped briefly into the hedgerow before carrying on west. As I neared the end of the hedgerow I caught sight of a Firecrest deep within one of the bushes and spent a very happy few minutes watching the little gem of a bird as it searched here and there for insects. It was mainly fairly obscured but I was incredibly lucky as it gradually worked its way into an open area and allowed some very nice views. Now that had definitely made my morning.

Firecrest

Firecrest

Firecrest

6 Redwing flew over heading east and a Song Thrush peeped out at me before disappearing back into the bushes. I heard a Common Buzzard call and could see it was being mobbed by a couple of Carrion Crow. A Blue Tit was enjoying some Hawthorn berries, pecking at the skin until it broke and it could reach the pulp inside.

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

On reaching the embankment I headed towards Chambers Wall. A small flock of 11 Swallows flew east and 8 Long-tailed Tits called as they worked their way through the bushes. I tried for some photos of some of the Goldcrests that were busy feeding at various intervals. They are lovely little birds and even though I struggled to get much in the photo line I really enjoyed watching them.

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

A Kestrel was twisting and turning as it tried to evade the 2 Carrion Crows who were mobbing it. Eventually the Crows lost interest and the Kestrel was able to hover in peace before dropping down onto prey. As I reached the railway crossing for Chambers Wall I could hear multiple alarm calls coming from the other side of the tracks with Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Robins and Blue and Great Tits all joining in the chorus of alarm calls. As I reached the other side a couple of Magpie joined in as did a Cetti's Warbler. Whatever was causing the alarm was out of sight from me but the arrival of a couple of fishermen solved the mystery as a beautiful Short-eared Owl flew up from the river side and flew over the track before landing in the back of the bushes. It did not get any peace there as the two Magpie followed it and started to dive bomb it. Once again it flew for cover and as it did so it gave some lovely views before dropping down and diappearing into cover near the railway embankment. It made a perfect end to the visit. What a beautiful bird.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

A Greenfinch flew up as it caught sight of me and as I neared the end of the path I had a group of 8 Goldcrests feeding away in the bushes and 4 Chiffchaff. The rain that had been threatening started in earnest just as I reached the pick up point so it turned out to be pretty perfect timing. Any day that I see an owl is a good one and with a Firecrest as well I felt very lucky as I headed for home.


Birds seen this visit include: 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 24 Robin, 9 Wren, 12 Magpie, 2 Jay, 13 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mallard, 17 Blackbird, 9 Chaffinch, Linnets, 23 Goldcrest, Wood Pigeons, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 19 Skylark, 3 Moorhen, 3 Dunnock, 1 Bullfinch, 6 Redwing, 1 Firecrest, 6 Reed Bunting, 3 Common Buzzard, Starlings, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Corn Bunting, Herring Gulls. Black-headed Gulls, 5 Mute Swan, 11 Swallow east, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Greenfinch,