Wednesday, March 25, 2015

More Redpolls, Not Much Else

Here in coastal Lancashire the continuing cold northerly winds of the last few days seem to have put a temporary halt to migration. 

A feature of last weekend was the many sightings of Buzzards on the move, either in small groups or singly, helped in no small way by the sunny days. It’s also a reflection of the fact that many Buzzards leave some marginal upland sites then head back there in March. There have been small numbers of Chiffchaffs, Wheatears and Pied Wagtails to herald Spring but certainly no mass arrivals. Otherwise the passage of Meadow Pipits has been rather thin and it’s a day or three early to welcome Willow Warblers or Blackcaps.

Buzzard
 
On Tuesday evening the forecast gave more overnight frost, no wind and a promise of a sunny Wednesday so there was a decision to be made, ringing for more redpolls or coastal birding. After recent successes it’s hard to resist the lure of a ringing session at Oakenclough so off I went again to meet up with Andy at the ringing station for 0600. 

Lesser Redpolls dominated another quiet session with 13 new birds but only 3 recaptures from recent days and weeks: 7 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Long-tailed Tit the new birds, with 2 Dunnock and 1 Blue Tit the recaptures. 

Goldfinch

Long-tailed Tit

Lesser Redpoll

In the birding line we noted at least a dozen Lesser Redpoll overhead, some of which found the nets. A single Meadow Pipit was seen/heard but otherwise a nil count for obvious migration. Two Bullfinch which visit the feeding area continue to evade us while a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk or two pay flying visits. 

Today’s effort leaves us with more than 25 Lesser Redpolls caught in the last ten days but a figure which might stay the same as a poor weather forecast for the next four or five days may put paid to more visits. 

Looks like I will be birding in the rain and wind for a day or two- what’s new?

10 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I love the close up of the LT T it.

Linda said...

They are all lovely, Phil...birds are so precious. Thank you so much for sharing.

Jo said...

Like Margaret, I, too, love the close - up of the Long-tailed Tit. It almost looks like a kitten; so fluffy.Thanks for sharing. Jo

TexWisGirl said...

goldfinch is spectacular. love the buzzard feather patterns. but that long-tailed just steals the show. :)

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful birds to see so close...many thanks for sharing.

Stuart Price said...

We've been getting lots of redpolls too recently............

Russell Jenkins said...

What a beautiful picture of the buzzard, Phil. Don't you love their underwing patterns? The close-up portraits are just superb too. Hope you get through the challenging weather and get some more super good pics.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Not much else, huh? Just a Buzzard, a Goldfinch, a Long-tailed Tit........ho hum!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Phil, they are all great birds. I love the buzzard in flight.. And the Redpoll is a favorite.. Happy Birding, have a great weekend!

Rohrerbot said...

Common, Lesser, or Hoary are all still finches I have yet to see. Seems like you saw a plenty oh birds on this trek....although maybe not the ones you wanted:) Still, I gotta say....I'd love to spot all of them:)

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