A milder evening than Monday night with the temperature at 7.2°C, but with a biting westerly it felt a lot colder.
Observations started at 3:30pm with the last bird recorded at 4:10pm.
South is towards Coate Water
East is towards Patheon (Pharmaceutical company, Dorcan Way)
West towards Greenbridge
North towards Cotswold Water Park
Time Number Species Direction Heading
3:30pm 3 Chaffinches West
7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
8 Starlings Local
1 Black-headed Gull West
3:31pm 8 Black-headed Gull North
1 Wood Pigeon South
1 Blackbird Local
3:34pm 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
80 Starlings North
3:35pm 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
1 Greenfinch West
3:39pm 4 Black-headed Gull North
1 Blue Tit Local
1 Wood Pigeon South
3:40pm 2 Carrion Crows Local
1 Black-headed Gull North
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
1 Magpie Local
8 House Sparrows South
1 Sparrowhawk East
3:51pm 2 Pied Wagtails West
2 Wood Pigeon South
3:52pm 1 Magpie South
1 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
3:53pm 3 Black-headed Gull North
1 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
3:55pm 1 Chaffinch East
6 Black-headed Gull North
3:57pm 1 Little Egret West
3:59pm 1 Herring Gull East
1 Wood Pigeon South
4:00pm 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
2 Herring Gull North
4:02pm 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
4 Herring Gull North
3 Black-headed Gull North
4:04pm 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls West
2 Magpies South
4:08pm 1 Magpie East
13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls West
2 Herring Gulls West
4:10pm 2 Chaffinch West
Totals:
92 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
88 Starlings
26 Black-headed Gulls
9 Herring Gulls
8 House Sparrows
6 Chaffinch
5 Wood Pigeon
5 Magpies
2 Pied Wagtails
2 Jackdaws
2 Carrion Crows
1 Greenfinch
1 Little Egret
1 Blue Tit
1 Blackbird
Main highlights this evening were 80 Starlings heading North, a Little Egret heading West and for once I was able to identify a few Herring Gull that sailed over the rooftops.
Wednesday 31 December 2014
Monday 29 December 2014
Tonight's Roost over Nythe
Clear Skies, Freezing temperatures 2.8°C
Observations started at 3:45pm with the last bird recorded at 4:10pm.
South is towards Coate Water
East is towards Patheon (Pharmaceutical company, Dorcan Way)
West towards Greenbridge
North towards Cotswold Water Park
Time Number Species Direction Heading
3:45pm 2 Wood Pigeons South
4 Goosanders North
1 Chaffinch West
3:46pm 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
3:54pm 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
1 Wood Pigeon East
6 House Sparrows East
10 Starlings East
3:55pm 6 Black-headed Gulls West
3:56pm 1 Black-headed Gull South
3:57pm 6 Black-headed Gull North
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
1 Goldfinch East
1 Chaffinch West
3:58pm 1 Chaffinch South
50 Black-headed Gull North
1 Wood Pigeon South
3 Starlings West
3:59pm 1 Wood Pigeon East
4:01pm 1 Wood Pigeon East
3 Starlings West
4:05pm 1 Wood Pigeon South
2 Jackdaws East
4:08pm 2 Pied Wagtails North
4:09pm 2 Pied Wagtails West
1 Magpie Local
2 Carrion Crows Local
4:10pm 2 Pied Wagtails West
1 Magpie Southeast
Totals:
12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
63 Black-headed Gulls
7 Wood Pigeon
6 Pied Wagtails
4 Goosander
2 Jackdaws
2 Magpies
16 Starlings
3 Chaffinch
1 Goldfinch
2 Carrion Crows
6 House Sparrows
Main highlight this evening was watching 4 Goosander coming from the direction of Coate Water and heading North. Otherwise a very quiet evening.
Observations started at 3:45pm with the last bird recorded at 4:10pm.
South is towards Coate Water
East is towards Patheon (Pharmaceutical company, Dorcan Way)
West towards Greenbridge
North towards Cotswold Water Park
Time Number Species Direction Heading
3:45pm 2 Wood Pigeons South
4 Goosanders North
1 Chaffinch West
3:46pm 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
3:54pm 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
1 Wood Pigeon East
6 House Sparrows East
10 Starlings East
3:55pm 6 Black-headed Gulls West
3:56pm 1 Black-headed Gull South
3:57pm 6 Black-headed Gull North
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls North
1 Goldfinch East
1 Chaffinch West
3:58pm 1 Chaffinch South
50 Black-headed Gull North
1 Wood Pigeon South
3 Starlings West
3:59pm 1 Wood Pigeon East
4:01pm 1 Wood Pigeon East
3 Starlings West
4:05pm 1 Wood Pigeon South
2 Jackdaws East
4:08pm 2 Pied Wagtails North
4:09pm 2 Pied Wagtails West
1 Magpie Local
2 Carrion Crows Local
4:10pm 2 Pied Wagtails West
1 Magpie Southeast
Totals:
12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
63 Black-headed Gulls
7 Wood Pigeon
6 Pied Wagtails
4 Goosander
2 Jackdaws
2 Magpies
16 Starlings
3 Chaffinch
1 Goldfinch
2 Carrion Crows
6 House Sparrows
Main highlight this evening was watching 4 Goosander coming from the direction of Coate Water and heading North. Otherwise a very quiet evening.
Wednesday 17 December 2014
Swan Lake
At the end of the year it's pretty normal for juvenile Mute Swans to be persuaded to leave the sanctuary of their birthplace and it's usually the cob that has the task of chasing the youngsters off the pool, to seek new waters and hopefully new mates. Unfortunately this year, things didn't quite work out like that at Liden Lagoon. Back in July the cob was set upon by two dogs and never survived its injuries. So instead the 3 youngsters have been swimming around with mum, and enjoying the freedom of the water. That is until recently, when a pair of adults arrived and have now decided that the lagoon would be a good place for them. Unfortunately for the resident pen this could very well end her time at the lagoon, after a good number years raising cygnets here.
I was only at the Lagoon for an hour or so but in that time the new arrivals had separated the juveniles cornering one of them behind the fallen Willow in the South-east corner. Later the cob forced the resident pen and her youngsters up onto the bank. Only time will tell, but I think they will be leaving soon.......................
With good reason, as a newly arrived cob and his mate decided that the lagoon is theirs for the taking.
The first task was to separate one of the youngsters and force him into a corner.......
The youngster managed to escape, but having joined mum, was forced along with his siblings to leave the pool and make their way onto the bank.
Also on the water were 2 Canada Geese with a further 10 on the bank plus 40+ Tufted Duck with at least 15 females, the latter so difficult to count when they keep diving. A Great Crested Grebe was new in and was in winter plumage. Choosing to sleep close to this years nest, between the two islands. Other water birds were Moorhens, Coots with males squabbling, Black-headed Gulls, a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 adult Herring Gulls, a lot of Mallard and a Grey Heron on the north island.
Eight of the 10 Canada Geese that decided to have a wonder around the Lagoon.
I'm beginning to think these two adult Herring Gulls are very much "resident" birds as often or not they are always here.
In the hedgerows were a few Blackbirds, a small flock of tits, mainly Long-tailed Tits with a Goldcrest tagging along. Across the A419 a Buzzard was preening himself on top of a tree, which made for interesting viewing as his "third eyelid" – a nictitating membrane, was quite visible at times. As he sat there preening the call of a few Jackdaws caught my attention and as I looked round there were a good 51 birds in a flock plus a Carrion Crow, heading east over the lagoon.
Birds like this Buzzard have moveable upper and lower eyelids, just like humans. But birds also have a "third eyelid" – a nictitating membrane which is located between the cornea (the membrane covering the eye surface) and the upper and lower eyelids. This thin, moveable membrane is used for protecting, lubricating, and cleaning the eye. The upper eyelid moves when a bird blinks. The lower eyelid closes when the bird is sleeping. The nictitating membrane opens and closes from left to right, while the upper and lower eyelids move up and down to open and close.
Birds Recorded: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan (2 Adults + Resident Pen and her 3 juveniles), 10 Canada Geese, 44+ Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 12+ Moorhen, 10+ Coot, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, 4 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 51 Jackdaw, 12+ House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Also see 1 Grey Squirrel.
I was only at the Lagoon for an hour or so but in that time the new arrivals had separated the juveniles cornering one of them behind the fallen Willow in the South-east corner. Later the cob forced the resident pen and her youngsters up onto the bank. Only time will tell, but I think they will be leaving soon.......................
Mum and the youngsters look nervous........
The new arrivals seem quite pleased with their efforts and stop to have a preen.
Also on the water were 2 Canada Geese with a further 10 on the bank plus 40+ Tufted Duck with at least 15 females, the latter so difficult to count when they keep diving. A Great Crested Grebe was new in and was in winter plumage. Choosing to sleep close to this years nest, between the two islands. Other water birds were Moorhens, Coots with males squabbling, Black-headed Gulls, a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 adult Herring Gulls, a lot of Mallard and a Grey Heron on the north island.
A Great Crested Grebe has a nap.
Two adult Moorhens and a 1st winter juvenile on the bank.
This male Coot was very aggressive to other males as they approached his mate.
In the hedgerows were a few Blackbirds, a small flock of tits, mainly Long-tailed Tits with a Goldcrest tagging along. Across the A419 a Buzzard was preening himself on top of a tree, which made for interesting viewing as his "third eyelid" – a nictitating membrane, was quite visible at times. As he sat there preening the call of a few Jackdaws caught my attention and as I looked round there were a good 51 birds in a flock plus a Carrion Crow, heading east over the lagoon.
A Buzzard keeps an eye out across the fields before preening himself.
Birds Recorded: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan (2 Adults + Resident Pen and her 3 juveniles), 10 Canada Geese, 44+ Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 12+ Moorhen, 10+ Coot, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, 4 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 51 Jackdaw, 12+ House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Also see 1 Grey Squirrel.
Sunday 7 December 2014
Neglected Pool
Today I did my WeBS count at Nythe Pool, the count wasn't too bad for such a small water, but what a terrible state the pool is in. I think the images below tell their own story. What gets me is that a week or so ago the Environment Agency sent two vans to the pool to check out the pollution that was flowing into it, so how on earth could they miss the rubbish that has collected in the pool and leave it there!!
Probably a case of "not my problem". Oh well at least the Mallards didnt seem to mind, my first for my winter WeBS count, also on today's list was a pair of Moorhen and a Grey Heron. As the vegetation dies back I'm sure I might get a Little Egret before long.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker lands beneath a Wood Pigeon and within seconds both birds were gone as a Sparrowhawk shot through.
Birds Recorded: 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard (pair), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Moorhen, 2 Black-headed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 10+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 6 Blackbird, several Redwing heard, 3 Goldcrest, 1 party of Long-tailed Tit (4+ birds), Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Wren, 4 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Chaffinch and 6 Goldfinch. 25 species.
Also seen 1 Grey Squirrel
Such a pretty pool but........................
..............the rubbish in the water...........
.........is beyond a joke!!!
Probably a case of "not my problem". Oh well at least the Mallards didnt seem to mind, my first for my winter WeBS count, also on today's list was a pair of Moorhen and a Grey Heron. As the vegetation dies back I'm sure I might get a Little Egret before long.
A Grey Heron waits patiently for a snack
The resident pair of Moorhens
And my first Mallard for my WeBS count, swimming alongside the empty bottles.
Other birds of interest was a large party of Goldcrests, Blue Tits, Great Tits, a Coal Tit, a Treecreeper and a few Long-tailed Tits all feeding together in the brambles overhanging the brook flowing into the pool. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over my head and landed on a branch under a Wood Pigeon, I managed just one shot before a Sparrowhawk shot through and sent all the birds flying off in different directions. Friday there were quite a few Blackbirds at Stratton Wood and it was no different here with at least 6 feeding on the ground and on the berry bushes.
One of quite a few Blackbirds around the pool today.
And there's never a Grey Squirrel too far away from the pool
Birds Recorded: 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard (pair), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Moorhen, 2 Black-headed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 10+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 6 Blackbird, several Redwing heard, 3 Goldcrest, 1 party of Long-tailed Tit (4+ birds), Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Wren, 4 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Chaffinch and 6 Goldfinch. 25 species.
Also seen 1 Grey Squirrel
Friday 5 December 2014
Winter Sun
I think I planned my walk quite well this afternoon, as soon as I parked up the sun came out. I know most people are parking their cars by the bungalows just off Kingsdown Road, but I decided to park in the lay-by on the southbound carriageway just off the A419. It's just a short walk back up the grass verge and then you're at the footpath into the wood. Unfortunately the main car park is closed because of pipe laying, which now extends all the way through the wood and up Kingsdown Lane.
Start point in Red. Black arrows route. Blue line is the pipeline and Green dot the main car park that is closed until May 2015.
Looking back to the footpath gate, A419 and Swindon Garden Centre on the other side of the carriageway.
This is the track looking south and runs adjacent to Kingsdown lane which is also being dug up to lay pipes.
Once I'd sorted out my route and was on my way, I was surprised to find lots of Blackbirds, they seemed to be everywhere. Last Autumn I did the Winter Thrush Survey here and I reckon there were more here today than the whole period I did my survey. Strangely though I only came across 4 Redwing and they were all in flight. Other thrushes recorded were 2 Mistle Thrushes and 6 Song Thrushes.
Birds Recorded: 1 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, 23+ Blackbird, 4 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, small party of Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, 1 Jay, 8 Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Brambling, 20+ Chaffinch, 25+ Goldfinch (one charm of 11), 8 Greenfinch and 6 Bullfinch.
Also seen 4 Rabbits
Looking South. lay-by and footpath on the left
The main car park in the distance, now closed off.
The pipeline being laid in the wood.
Once I'd sorted out my route and was on my way, I was surprised to find lots of Blackbirds, they seemed to be everywhere. Last Autumn I did the Winter Thrush Survey here and I reckon there were more here today than the whole period I did my survey. Strangely though I only came across 4 Redwing and they were all in flight. Other thrushes recorded were 2 Mistle Thrushes and 6 Song Thrushes.
One of many Blackbirds feeding on the Hawthorn Berries
A female Blackbird
It wasn't just the thrushes out in force but good numbers of finches including two Brambling that took flight with the Chaffinches when I got too close.
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
As always there were plenty of Magpies about and I also managed a quick photo of a Jay that landed in the Silver Birch in front of me. Also about was a Green Woodpecker which was feeding on the short grass before I disturbed it and a Chiffchaff calling in the hedgerow, where I also came across a few Bullfinches.
Jay
A Magpie keeps a wary eye on me.
Whereas this Rabbit took one look at me and was gone......
Birds Recorded: 1 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, 23+ Blackbird, 4 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, small party of Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, 1 Jay, 8 Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Brambling, 20+ Chaffinch, 25+ Goldfinch (one charm of 11), 8 Greenfinch and 6 Bullfinch.
Also seen 4 Rabbits
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