Friday, April 8, 2022

An Improving Picture

The temperature readout showed -1°C and warned of “possible icy roads”. It was 0530 as the wipers scraped across the icy windscreen. I pressed the heated seat buttons, one for me and one for the jacket draped over the seat. I was driving to meet up with Andy and into the hills of Oakenclough where it’s always two or three degrees colder than the Fylde coast. 

Over Rawcliffe Moss the car lit up two Roe Deer frozen in the approaching main beam so I slowed and turned off the lights so as to let them walk across the fields towards the rising sun. It’s best not to panic wild deer into a mad dash, especially if there are fences nearby. 
 
Roe Deer

As ever, and after a couple of poor catches out Pilling way we hoped that things could only get better, despite talk of continued cold weather in Spain, Portugal, and France, countries through which our migrant birds must pass before reaching the UK. 

We caught migrant and newly arrived Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler in the first hour but then faltered through until 1030 without catching anything too exciting in the way of species or numbers. 

Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll and Coal Tit were caught at feeding points while Coal Tits are something of a local speciality because of the proximity of a stretch of conifers. 

15 birds of 9 species caught - 3 Great Tit, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Robin, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff. 
 
Goldfinch

Lesser Redpoll
 
Dunnock
 
Willow Warbler

Lesser Redpoll

Coal Tit

Other species seen – 2 Blackbird, 2 Buzzard, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Brown Hare. 

Brown Hare

Pied Wagtail

Linking this weekend to Eileen's Saturday Blogspot and Anni in Texas.

Back soon. Don't go away.


 

17 comments:

Mike Attwood said...

Nice to see someone getting some pictures. I'm still stuck with nothing to picture except my visiting animals. Hey Ho. Take care,
Mike.

Breathtaking said...

Hi Phil, :=) Seems like a good and varied catch to me, and the photos are lovely. You certainly see a number of different creatures on your outings. The Roe Deer and Brown Hare were great sightings, and also, lovely images.

I think a country with warmer weather is more suitable to have pet wash stations, not that we are having warm weather just now, as it is really cold for the time of year.
All the best.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Phil,
I love your critters this week, the pretty Roe Deer and the Brown Hare.
Your bird photos are always wonderful. The Redpoll is one of my favorites but I also love your Goldfinch. Great sightings. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How neat to see the deer and be considerate of them. The Hare looks BIG and of course the variety of birds interesting. I love your Goldfinches!

Lowcarb team member said...

Beautiful birds and the Roe Deer too ... great pictures.

All the best Jan

RedPat said...

I always like to see a Redpoll. Haven't seen one here in a long time.

Anni said...

Love the image of your deer today. But, I don't like reading about those cold, icy, conditions of your weather!!
You two did see/make recordings of several birds tho. Better than none at all.

Thanks for taking time to link in and share your birding expertise with us. Great photos!!

Wally Jones said...

A bit of cold is lingering around here as well. The birds know, however, it's time to get a move on or else they risk not finding suitable breeding spots.

Despite your icy windshield, I have no doubt the coming weeks will provide a warming trend suitable for birders and ringers to be out and about near sunrise.

To one unfamiliar with ringing (that would be me), it certainly appears you managed a wonderfully diverse collection!

Here's to fair weather and good birding/ringing in both our immediate futures!

Yvonne said...

What a beautiful picture you paint of your morning with your words. Our Goldfinch are just that...gold being the colorful part. Your goldfinch are like taking it a whole level higher. Simply gorgeous!

Rhodesia said...

We have masses of birds still in the garden and I even spotted the Bramblings this week. What are they doing still here? All in their bright colours and looking beautiful. Goldfinches, Greenfinches and all the sparrows of course, the only birds to have vanished are the robin and the Bluetits.
Keep well Diane

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love how the birds will sit on your fingers! They are little treasures. It has been cold and warm here on and off--typical spring that can't make up its mind...hah
Have a wonderful week!

NCSue said...

I always do a double-take when I see photos of your "goldfinch" and "robin" - ours are quite different in appearance!
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-last-of-these-for-while-i-promise.html

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

That is a pretty blue on the Pled Wagtail. Cute bird

Veronica Lee said...

Your bird photos never cease to enthrall, Phil.

Great sightings of the Roe Deer and Brown Hare.

Happy Tuesday!

Glenda Cates said...

Lovely photos thank you for sharing them with us.

The Padre said...

Classic Brown Hare Capture There - Always Enjoy Your Post - Be Well Brother

Cheers

Linda said...

I love the way you respect animals. I hope your weather has improved.

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