I headed to Shuart this morning and was greeted by a Ring-necked Parakeet calling stridantly with a back up chorus of songs and calls from the usual suspects as I walked up to the top of the bridleway. As I came into the open I caught sight of a Common Buzzard perched nearby atop the hedge. It was a lovely view but although I froze as soon as I saw it, it was unfortunately too late and, having seen me, it dropped down from the hedge and flew rapidly away. For that brief moment though, before it flew, it had been a lovely view of an immature Common Buzzard and a good start to the visit. As I made my way back to the main track I spent a few minutes watching a little group of Goldcrest working their way through some heavily shaded Ivy. They really are lovely little birds.
As I wandered down the track I came across a Robin singing away and paused to enjoy its song. When it had finished singing it worked its way closer to me and posed very nicely before moving off.
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| Robin |
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| Robin |
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| Robin |
A little further on a Lesser Redpoll landed briefly near the top of a tree before continuing on its way, calling as it did so, and a couple of Green Woodpecker gave a stereo effect as they called from opposite directions at the same time. 8 Long-tailed Tit were in constant contact as they searched for insects, only pausing very briefly to work their way through a bush before flying on to the next one. I paused to watch a couple of Stonechat, a very smart male and a female, that were visible as I had a look through the first break in the hedge.
3 Redwing flew up as I neared the end of the hedge and a Yellowhammer was perched on the top of one of the bushes before flying off calling. As I came up to the stables I could hear a Brambling (154) call and ended up seeing 3. They moved from feeding on the ground to a bush. It was really nice to catch up with Brambling for the year and even the rain starting could not take away from the pleasure of being able to watch them for a while.
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| Brambling |
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| Brambling |
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| Brambling |
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| Bramblings |
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| Bramblings |
A Kestrel that was perched and trying to get it balance in the wind gave an opportunity for some photos and after catching a mouse it flew across before settling to feed on it.
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| Kestrel |
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I was very pleased to have been able to see the Brambling but as this was proving to be a particulatly difficult day for getting around I decided to head for home.
Birds seen this visit include: 16 Robin, 11 Wren, 2 Jay, 7 Chiffchaff, 31 Blackbird, Wood Pigeons, 3 Common Buzzard, Jackdaws, 16 Chaffinch, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 3 Goldcrest, 15 Pied Wagtail, 4 Skylark, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 17 Goldfinch, 2 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Magpie, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Dunnock, 4 Stonechat, 4 Redwing, 12 Reed Bunting, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Yellowhammer, 6 Swallow, 22 Mute Swan, 10 Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crows, Starlings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Brambling, 65 Chaffinch, Linnets
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