There was rain and then the wind blew my garden feeding station to the ground so the prospects for a morning’s birding weren’t good. Nonetheless there was a job to do at Oakenclough where the ringing station needed checking for a top up of bird seed, so I set off inland.
It has not been much of a Fieldfare autumn so at Out Rawcliffe I was pleased to find a flock of 80 or more Fieldfares feeding in a stretch of roadside hawthorns. It’s a traditional and so almost guaranteed location to find the species, even when they can’t be seen elsewhere. I do wonder whether it is simply that the species homes in on the wealth of red berries hereabouts or if there is an element of a few individuals returning year after year to a known food source and bringing new birds along?
As one of the larger and more robust members of the thrush family of birds, but bearing in mind it is highly migratory with all those attendant risks, an individual Fieldfare can be fairly long lived. Through the ringing of Fieldfares the longevity record of 18 years is held by a Finnish bird, in stark contrast to an average life expectancy of 2 or 3 years.
"Click the pics" for a light-box show.
"Click the pics" for a light-box show.
Fieldfare
Fieldfare
There was a roadside Jay which scuttled off as my car approached and then the flap-glide-flap of a Sparrowhawk across the nearby field. I rather hoped the hawk wasn’t targeting the Fieldfares but they often do.
As I neared Oakenclough I found a wary flock of 60/80 roadside Chaffinches, the birds scattering into nearby trees as I slowed to look. I switched off the engine then looked and listened for a while hoping to see or hear a Brambling or two but none showed. So far this is not a "Brambling Winter".
Chaffinch
Watercolour - Oakenclough, Lancashire
The feeding station had been well used with the niger and other seed depleted together with signs of trampling underfoot. Looks like we are fattening up the sportsmen’s pheasants in addition to feeding our own little brown jobs. Best to avoid a ringing session on a Tuesday when the hills echo to the sound of gunfire.
Pheasant
At or around the feeding station - 2 Bullfinch, 4 Blackbird, 15+ Chaffinch, 15+ Goldfinch, 2 Pied Wagtail and 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, plus the usual selection of Robins, Dunnocks and titmice, mainly Coal Tit.
Robin
Goldfinch
The weather forecast for the week ahead looks truly awful with strong westerly winds and lots of rain predicted to Friday which means that Andy and I may struggle to find a suitable day for ringing.
Oakenclough in Black & White
Not to worry.
If there’s a half a chance Another Bird Blog will be out there birding and blogging as ever.
Linking today to Stewart'sWorld Bird Wednesday.
Linking today to Stewart'sWorld Bird Wednesday.
Hello Phil, it is great to find a spot with a lot berries. There is sure to be a number of birds around.. Great count on the Fieldfare and the Chaffinches! I feel sorry for the Pheasants, I hope they run and hide..Beautiful shots of all the birds. Have a great week and happy birding!
ReplyDeletejust beauties!
ReplyDeleteThey are all gorgeous and delightful!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a Fieldfare and would love to do so. I have never been in Britain at the right time, I guess.
ReplyDeleteAll great shots
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful birds, including the gorgeous Pheasant that I might add, I hope does not show up on anyone's dining table. I had it once, it is very tasty, but I was a young girl and then my heart became attached to their beauty along with Rabbit and I can never eat of it again... I am such a wimp ;) Happy week~
ReplyDeleteGorgeous birds all of them. I can't wait for them to return in the spring.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, despite adverse weather conditions, you prove that birding is usually more productive when one actually ventures out of doors.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs all! The image of the Goldfinch really shows off its beautiful plumage. The Chaffinch and Fieldfare seem to have subtle colors not obvious in a field guide.
Now that you have confessed to inherent dangers of birding/ringing in Britain during hunting season, I feel better and safer amongst my alligators and snakes. :)
I really enjoyed your report, Phil.
Perhaps you'll have a favorable break in the forecasted weather and be able to get out this week.
All The Best.
Your bird close ups are fantastic and shows what a variety you can attract.
ReplyDeleteThe pheasant looks so very majestic.Wonderful birds and wonderful captures.
ReplyDeleteJust love the photo of the goldfinch.
ReplyDeleteIs that fog? Oh my goodness how I love foggy days!!! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOf course you know what I think of your birding shares. Lovely...as always [I haven't seen a pheasant in real time in eons!!! Wayyyyy back when I was a child in fact.]
Phil ~ your bird photography is exquisite as always!
ReplyDeleteHappy Week,
artmusedog and carol
Great photos and observations.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the lightbox show, Phil. Nice colours. 18 years is a fine life for a bird of that size. I wonder what stories it could tell.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant collection of photos. I particularly love the beautiful Gold Finch - stunning.
ReplyDeleteI can't decide whether my favorite is the pheasant or the goldfinch. He looks red, white, and blue in the photo, almost.
ReplyDeleteThat Robin and the Goldfinch are handsome birds. You see so much. That area looks beautiful, I love the fog and the hills.
ReplyDeleteSmashing pictures and love the Fieldfare
ReplyDeleteGorgeous birds - I never tire of the beauty of a Robin or Goldfinch. The Fieldfares are interesting too. How such little birds can fly such long distances (and live as long as a well-fed housepet in doing so!) is a wonder.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! I really like the pheasant, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteNice perched pilaris, Phil. Ages since I handled one.
ReplyDeleteOakenclough has such a lovely name...and your photos of it are so lovely! An 18 year old Fieldfare! Wow! The bird banding is such a great way of tracking the populations. I appreciate the work you and others do. Your photos of each bird are just so stunning!
ReplyDelete