Snow and Snipe - Broomfield Track 11/02/21

On a beautifully fine early afternoon I had a wander along a very snowy and picturesque Broomfield track. There were already a lot of footprints in the snow as it is a very popular venue with dog walkers but in places the snow was surprisingly deep.

Broomfield Track

A Little Owl called as I made my way down the track and a few Blue and Great Tits were busily searching through the hedgerow as was a small flock of Chaffinches. The trees stood out starkly against the snow and the bright sky and along field edges the snow had been sculpted by the wind.

A small flock of Lapwing flew over with the birds looking amazingly evenly spaced out.  

Lapwing

A Grey Heron also flew across and a Sparrowhawk made its way over towards the wood. It sent some Snipe up in panic and as they appeared to go down again I hoped I would get a chance to catch up with them. A Robin was searching for insects in amongst where the snow had started to melt.

Robin

A female Kestrel looked stunning against the blue sky and the warmth from the sun had been sufficient to melt the snow from the branches of the hedgerow.

female Kestrel

The Snipe had settled back down on one of the fields and were a welcome sight and there appeared to be seven of them. 

Snipe

They were quite flighty as dog walkers passed by but after wheeling round tended to return to the same field.

Snipe

Snipe

Snipe

Snipe

I headed for home and on the way back came across another couple of Snipe tucked into a nearer furrow in the same field. It had been good to be out and an enjoyable visit.

Snipe

Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Supporting Cast - East Blean Wood 07/02/21

I haven't been able to get birdwatching for quite a while so it was very nice to be able to pay a short visit to East Blean Wood. It was a beautifully fine afternoon and in sheltered areas the sun had some real warmth to it. I could hear Nuthatch calling and could see one in the tree above me checking out crevices in the trunk for food items. They are lovely birds and it was very active as it made its way from trunk to trunk.

Nuthatch

Nuthatch

I could hear a mixed flock of tits calling with Blue, Great and Long-tailed all moving rapidly through. A couple of Goldcrest were keeping company with them, never still for a moment in their search for food.

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

I heard what I was sure was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling and was really chuffed when I caught sight of it a little way ahead, but high above. Unfortunately that was the last I saw of it as a large dog appeared from nowhere and then proceeded to go absolutely loopy on seeing me, scaring the life out of me. and probably every bird in a ten mile radius. When the owner eventually turned up and managed at last to get hold of it I was told the dog doesn't like people wearing caps!! Not surprisingly there was no sign of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, once the dog and its owner had moved off, but I felt very lucky to have seen it at all. 

All was very quiet for a while until multiple alarm calls sounded out from Blackbirds, Blue and Great Tits and Wren. They were still a way ahead of me and I couldn't see what had caused their alarm but the mystery was solved when a Common Buzzard suddenly flew from one of the trees before disappearing deeper into the wood. Peace reigned once more and while looking round I caught sight of a Treecreeper working its way up one of the tree trunks.

Treecreeper

Treecreeper

Treecreeper

It was time to head for home but it had been great to be out for a little while. As I made my way back a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across and settled in the upper branches of a tree. It looked striking against the blue sky and though the photo does not do it justice I was pleased to be able to take it.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

I finished an enjoyable visit watching the antics of a Long-tailed Tit. I can never resist stopping to watch them, they are beautiful little birds and so full of character.

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit