Saturday, November 3, 2012

Half A Winter’s Day

Not much of a post today on Another Bird Blog as it rained all morning which meant I couldn’t get out until 1230. By 1530 what sun there was started to fall towards the horizon and the light began to fail, and as birds set off to their roosts I too called it a half-day. 

At Fluke Hall I’d found 8/10 Redwings, 4 Blackbird and 2 Song Thrush in the hedgerows, together with a fine male Brambling which flew in from the stubble along with a handful of Chaffinch. Along the lane were 2 Reed Bunting, 8 Skylark and 12 Tree Sparrow, with a couple of Goldcrest in the woodland and a Kingfisher darting twice across the quiet pool. 

Reed Bunting

With showers still around it wasn’t much of a day for walking although a stroll along the Lane Ends sea wall produced a bonus in the form of 2 Merlin scrapping briefly before they went their separate ways. One headed towards Fluke, the other in the direction of Cockerham where I saw it perch up on the thinnest of tree debris out on the marsh. Otherwise, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Skylark and huge numbers of Pink-footed Geese, upwards of 8,000. 

Next came a drive around Moss Edge, Cockerham where 32 Whooper Swans fed on a stubble field, the swans seeming to be split into family groups as below, 2 adults and 3 youngsters. Further round the moss circuit the Little Owl was on lookout duty at the usual spot, surely the Fylde’s most regular and well known location to find the species? 

Whooper Swan

Little Owl

Other birds about the soggy moss: 800 Starling, 15 Tree Sparrow, 2 Redwing, 1 Reed Bunting, 6 Curlew, 600 Black-headed Gull. 

Sunday looks a better day, so log in then to see where Another Bird Blog spent the day, or at least part of it.

9 comments:

Isidro Ortiz said...

Hello Phil,bonitas fotos,la del Escribano palustre es la mejor.Saludos

Jenn Jilks said...

Whatcha mean, not much of a post!
Yyesterday we had snow. Light snow, but snow nonetheless. I so miss our summer birds, butterflies, too.
But I am a tough Canadian, yard duty in -20 C. temps, and I say, 'Winter, bring it on!'
Cheers from Cottage Country!

Findlay Wilde said...

It sounds like a great day out to me. I finally got a pictue of the white goose with the Canada Geese. Could you have a look at it if you have time. It has been back with the Canada Geese for the last 2 years. From Findlay

grammie g said...

Hey Phil...Love that pigeon on your header ; )!!
We have not had much in the way of winter like weather yet..but I think we are in for a rude awakening any day now!! It has gotten a little colder, but the bird bath didn't freeze over : )!!
Our time changed last night ..that falling back sure can hit hard and the next day you really feel
it ; )!!
I love that little Owl!!
Keep the faith Phil and keep counting!!
"Grace" who needs to get counting, been slacking on that !!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

You did very well despite the weather!

eileeninmd said...

Love the cute Reed Bunting and the Little Owl is adorable. Looks like a great half day to me. Have a wonderful week ahead and happy birding!

Gail Dixon said...

Enjoyed seeing the Little Owl. Such great shots even though the weather was uncooperative.

El rincón de Ceditas said...

Excelentes Phil, me encantan tus capturas
Un abrazo

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Back to thank you for your answer about the wrens ....and also back because it's great to look at your birds again!

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