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

Woodpeckers and Redpolls - East Blean Wood 20/02/19

I paid a short early morning visit to East Blean wood today. Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock and Wren were all singing away from the car park while Blue Tit and Great Tit were also very vocal.

I walked for a little while then stopped to have a listen and to see what moved through. I heard a Nuthatch call but it was further away from where I was, and a nearer one gave a different call. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming with a second replying further away. Once again I heard a call that sounded like a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but I only heard it once and will need to try again. A Jay called and a small flock of Long-tailed Tits moved through, with one of them coming right above me. I could also hear a Coal Tit singing.

Long-tailed Tit

A little further on I could hear 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers calling and one appeared to be chasing the other. Both landed and they were 2 males. There appeared to be a bit of a standoff before they flew off, once again with one chasing the other.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers

Great Spotted Woodpecker

I came across a small flock of 7 Lesser Redpoll feeding with 8 Goldfinches. I enjoyed watching them for a while. I could not manage much in the photo line but they were a pleasure to watch.

Lesser Redpoll

Lesser Redpolls

Lesser Redpoll

The next day I had a little time after work and I did drop back for a very short look and listen from the car park. There were 2 Nuthatch in the back trees and one paused for a preen.

Nuthatch

As we left a Common Buzzard flew in and landed in a tree just behind us. I only managed to grab a quick shot but it was a privilege to see it so close.

Common Buzzard

Birds seen this visit (20th) include: Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 9 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 4 Goldcrest, Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, 7 Redpoll,

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.