Potteric Carr (30-01-07)
Well, almost didn't make the return trip, but got here in the end.
The plan was to take in pretty much the same route as Saturday, but add in the loop from Piper Marsh through Corbett Wood and Childers Wood... so that's what I did.
Nothing on the feeders again on arrival, so the first action of the day, just on site, was three Robins having a serious squabble over robin-stuff.
In fact, that was to become something of a theme, as almost every turn taken led to more squabbling robins!
Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits and a Chaffinch or two were present beside Decoy Marsh, and Coot and Mute Swan could be seen on the marsh, and a Tufted Duck or so, though that was just about it for today.
Along with the plethora of robins was almost as plethoric a showing of Blackbirds, doing whatever it is blackbirds do, and as usual, doing it noisily!
No bacon doorstep today, so straight on to Hawthorn Bank. Rather than double back, I chose Hawthorn first, to the move on the Piper and the loop.
The new pools (Huxter Well?) offered up Gadwall, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Pochard, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Moorhen and to complete the list, Carrion Crow. No sign of the other plover on my watch, this time.
I returned along the bank, and rejoined the path to Piper Marsh Hide, adding nothing new just yet. Piper Marsh didn't present me with the Bittern today (I missed it be about half an hour, apparently) but did give Shoveler, Teal and Shelduck, amongst others already mentioned.
The odd Woodpigeon flew over, then just as I was about to leave, a Sparrowhawk flew in, briefly stopping off at one of the islands before taking off again.
I left the hide, in time to see and incoming Cormorant overflying, and then noticed a small group of (what turned out to be ) Redpolls. I'm not familiar with redpolls, and they looked out of the ordinary at first, but happily, I was able to spend a good fifteen minutes in their company confirming their id.
I was thinking, by now, that the bold comment in respect of Bullifinches from last time was coming back to bite me, when at last a female Bullfinch, and soon after her beau, put in a show.
I continued on my way, and the afternoon was drawing to a close now. Things were quietening down. Still Corbett Wood provided Great Tits aplenty, and the fattest Dunnock I've seen away from my garden!
There was something of a commotion in the clearing, just a lot of noise happening, including, I'm pretty sure, much squeaking of voles. Whilst trying to verify this, I was treated to cracking views of a Treecreeper... which had to suffice as the "voles" remained elusive.
The final part of the walk passed through the increasingly gloomy Childers Wood, but was blessed with superb views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
And to wrap things up, leaving the site, a Pheasant and a Magpie brought the total to a round thirty.
The plan was to take in pretty much the same route as Saturday, but add in the loop from Piper Marsh through Corbett Wood and Childers Wood... so that's what I did.
Nothing on the feeders again on arrival, so the first action of the day, just on site, was three Robins having a serious squabble over robin-stuff.
In fact, that was to become something of a theme, as almost every turn taken led to more squabbling robins!
Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits and a Chaffinch or two were present beside Decoy Marsh, and Coot and Mute Swan could be seen on the marsh, and a Tufted Duck or so, though that was just about it for today.
Along with the plethora of robins was almost as plethoric a showing of Blackbirds, doing whatever it is blackbirds do, and as usual, doing it noisily!
No bacon doorstep today, so straight on to Hawthorn Bank. Rather than double back, I chose Hawthorn first, to the move on the Piper and the loop.
The new pools (Huxter Well?) offered up Gadwall, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Pochard, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Moorhen and to complete the list, Carrion Crow. No sign of the other plover on my watch, this time.
I returned along the bank, and rejoined the path to Piper Marsh Hide, adding nothing new just yet. Piper Marsh didn't present me with the Bittern today (I missed it be about half an hour, apparently) but did give Shoveler, Teal and Shelduck, amongst others already mentioned.
The odd Woodpigeon flew over, then just as I was about to leave, a Sparrowhawk flew in, briefly stopping off at one of the islands before taking off again.
I left the hide, in time to see and incoming Cormorant overflying, and then noticed a small group of (what turned out to be ) Redpolls. I'm not familiar with redpolls, and they looked out of the ordinary at first, but happily, I was able to spend a good fifteen minutes in their company confirming their id.
I was thinking, by now, that the bold comment in respect of Bullifinches from last time was coming back to bite me, when at last a female Bullfinch, and soon after her beau, put in a show.
I continued on my way, and the afternoon was drawing to a close now. Things were quietening down. Still Corbett Wood provided Great Tits aplenty, and the fattest Dunnock I've seen away from my garden!
There was something of a commotion in the clearing, just a lot of noise happening, including, I'm pretty sure, much squeaking of voles. Whilst trying to verify this, I was treated to cracking views of a Treecreeper... which had to suffice as the "voles" remained elusive.
The final part of the walk passed through the increasingly gloomy Childers Wood, but was blessed with superb views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
And to wrap things up, leaving the site, a Pheasant and a Magpie brought the total to a round thirty.
posted by The Birdman @ 11:35 AM
0 Bird Call(s)
