Sunday morning and the wildfowlers were out long before me. I heard the sound of their gunfire as I put the first net up in the semi darkness. Ropes left out for a speedy job were frozen solid after Saturday night’s frost.
Soon after 10 am four guys and four dogs, young and old, came walking towards me with their spoils, two geese to share between them - not much to show for around five hours laid out on the frozen marsh. We exchanged pleasantries as they trudged off to their cars and me back to the job in hand.
Wildfowling
I had slightly more luck than the shooters with ten birds caught, not as good as I’d hoped but more grist to the mill of Project Linnet with 8 new Linnets and a by-catch of 1 Chaffinch and 1 Great Tit.
Linnet
Not a lot else to report except for a female Sparrowhawk looking for breakfast, half a dozen Skylarks, and the 80 or more Linnets that produced my catch.
Sparrowhawk - female
Monday started with the 0830 school run to Hambleton followed by a sprint to Pilling to meet up with Andy who’d been on site since 0645. I’d taken the precaution of five layers on top and two below to ward off the frost. I was glad I did because it was pretty cold out of the sunshine.
I missed early Redwings but caught up with a new Greenfinch, a Chaffinch, more Linnets and a fine adult male Reed Bunting.
In all we had 16 new birds - 5 Redwing, 4 Linnet, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Greenfinch.
Reed Bunting
Chaffinch
The forecast for Tuesday looks good. The morning is already pencilled in for five layers and more ringing.
Really great shots and love the sparrow hawk.
ReplyDeleteYour bird photos are great - I always learn something visiting you. I wish the hunters didn't get any geese. I like them. When I lived further north I liked watching Canadian geese fly south in the fall and north in the spring. I also know I'm a hypocrite as the couple of times I've eaten roast goose I likes it.
ReplyDeleteLove the sparrowhawk, but I'm a raptor fan! Love to watch them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/11/autumn-beaty-remembered.html
Excellent photo of the sparrowhawk. Not sure how I feel about the wildfowlers though.
ReplyDeleteReally fond of that Sparrow Hawk...beautiful bird! You hearing the sound of gunfire reminds me of the shots I hear in the early morning hours when I'm out, although I never see any of the hunters. Happy Thanksgiving!...jp
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your bird photographs and that is a great one of the Sparrowhawk.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we are in for a chilly week this week, so a good job to layer up.
Take care, keep warm and enjoy your week.
All the best Jan
Great photos, the Sparrowhawk is a beauty! Take care, enjoy your day and week ahead!
ReplyDeleteI love that, 'Not a lot else to report" you have so many adventures.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your bird captures, Phil.
ReplyDeleteThat one of the Sparrowhawk is a stunner!
Hello Phil.:=) Lovely images of all the birds.The Sparrow Hawk capture is great, and I love the cute Linnet photo. Long Johns I believe are warm underwear when it's cold.:=) You must keep warm and take care.
ReplyDeletePhil, I have a dilemma as to what bird I photographed, and would be obliged if you can help with the ID. I have had several suggestions by kind bloggers, but I don't believe any are what I saw. It's a small bird, appears to be streaked both back and front, with an upturned beak. I have done much research, without success, but feel sure you will know.
Hello Phil I knew you would know, and I'm really grateful for the ID. Thank you so much.
ReplyDelete