I came down to Chambers Wall after work and aimed to try for a walk through to Shuart as this would give the wind behind me, and hopefully some shelter from the wind by the bushes. The weather had turned very cloudy with a cool north westerly wind. A Common Buzzard was spiralling high above as I walked down the road and a passing jogger flushed 2 Red-legged Partridge from the side of the path. Skylarks were singing away and a passing Yellow Wagtail called as it flew over while 2 Reed Buntings were trying to out sing each other. A Sedge and a Reed Warbler singing gave a good chance to compare their song.
The area around the car park was quite quiet. A Blackbird was alarm calling repeatedly but I could not see what the cause for it was. Whatever it was must have then moved on as the Blackbird lost interest and went back to looking for food. A small flock of 8 Corn Buntings flew in to the bushes behind the hedge and I could hear a Cuckcoo calling in the distance. A large Drinker Moth caterpillar gave some nice views, tucked away in the vegetation.
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| Drinker Moth Caterpillar |
I had hoped to catch up with the damselfly I saw the other day but the weather was so cool that there were very few insects around and I did not see any damselflies at all. I caught the sight of a metallic green sheen and saw, what I think is, a Cynomya mortuorum that belongs to the family of Calliphoridae - Blowflies. It was one of the few insects I saw on the way down to the railway crossing.
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| Cynomya mortuorum |
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| Cynomya mortuorum |
Whitethroat were in good voice on the walk down. A Little Egret flew down the river and settled briefly on top of a bush before moving on. As I started my way along the embankment I saw a micro moth. On looking it up it appears to belong to the Choreutidae family and may be a Nettle Tap Anthophila fabriciana.
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| Micro moth - ? Nettle Tap Anthophila fabriciana |
Whitethroats continued to belt out their song, with Sedge Warblers giving them a run for their money. A Cetti's warbler exploded into song right next to me but I could not see it. I was very pleased to see my first Swift's of the spring with 2 moving west. A little further on I had another one west.
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| Swifts |
It appeared that the pair of Mute Swan had not carried on with the nest I saw them building the other day so I wonder if they have found a better spot. It certainly looked no different to how it looked the other day. The patch of water in the field was empty today apart from a Lapwing at its edge. I was hoping to hear the Nightingale again but did not have any luck
On the walk down to Shuart I had a Cuckoo explode out of the reed bed beside the path as I walked past. It flew up, banked sharply and flew behind the hedge. It is the closest I have ever been to one and I would have loved a photo but would never have been quick enough. It was the definite highlight of the walk back.
As I left Shuart I had some very good views of a pair of Red-legged Partridge. They are very handsome birds.
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| Red-legged Partridge |
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| Red-legged Partridge |
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| Red-legged Partridge |
There were also a couple of Hare's in a ploughed field. They were very distant but surprisingly noticeable.
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| Hare's |
It had been good to have some time out after work and an enjoyable visit.
Birds seen this visit include: 1 Common Buzzard, Blue Tit, Skylarks, 5 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 19 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Meadow Pipit, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 5 Blackbird, 6 Linnet, 1 Dunnock, 31 Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, 9 Chaffinch, 2 Cuckoo, 8 Corn Bunting, 5 Wren, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 6 Sand Martin, 1 Little Egret, 3 Great Tit, 8 Magpie, Goldfinch, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Swift west, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Partridge, 5 Mallard, 2 Lapwing, 1 Pheasant, 3 Lesser Whitethroat,
