End of another.

"Another one bits the dust"  Or nearly? Has been a hard end to the year with a chesty cold that for seven weeks has hung on and only in the last three days have I been good. So lets hope with the changes I have made I can get on my feet for the new year.

List wise nothing in birding terms to boast of. But that at least all 210 of the birds have been self found. That is except  for the GREAT KNOT which was a lifer for me. If there is anything that pleased me it was my trip with W.B.C. to the Farnes and also the two young HEN HARRIERS I found in Wales. There have been those cold days to sitting at the Ness which is still to me the best place in the world.

So to all of you from all of us, KEEP LOOKING UP.

Lowestoft Lake Loathingland: Above was the last sighting for the year two KINGFISHERS

 

Stowe Gardens, Buckinghamshire.

Spent the weekend at my sons just round the corner from Silverstone and found out that corner known as Stowe is because of the fantastic gardens and woodland represented by the same name. This property managed by the National Trust we visited to listen to one of my granddaughters singing in great surroundings. Made a good start to the festive season, but although there was loads of stables there was no baby Jesus that I could see.
As we approached the entrance a large tree assumed yew had all thrushes on display. MISTLE THRUSH 2, BLACKBIRD 4, REDWING 5, FIELDFARE 5, SONG THRUSH 2. I cannot remember the last time I saw all these species at one time in one tree. So a new record for me. This tree also had GOLDFINCH, COAL TIT, CHAFFINCH, ROBIN, WREN, BLUE TIT, GREAT TIT.

The day started with a family member turning up with a bird in the hand. She had found it just lying in the meadow were she was taking the dog for a walk. It was obviously well distressed and covered in blood. On examination it had skin punctures around the neck. It was my thinking that it had been caught by a stoat or weasel and had either been disturbed or left the scene. Seeing the bird was a WOODCOCK she wanted to give it far chance to survive and placed it in a shoe box in the dark and in her greenhouse. Six hours later it was still alive so a tough old bird. I informed my relative that it cost £36 if you wanted it for the plate and a £10 for delivery. She could however have it however for free if she so desired.

I only had one COMMON BUZZARD on the way at Elveden and a KESTREL at Stowe.

Mutford Lock, Oulton Broad, Suffolk.

Walked round the lock on a dull day.
REDSHANK hanging around there being six birds and nine TURNSTONE. LITTLE GREBE put on a show at three and a pair of GREAT CRESTED GREBE. But only one CORMORANT, PIED WAGTAIL and three EGYPTIAN GEESE.

Shut Out or is that in?

I have been locked away in my most humble dwelling now for several days, for no other reason that a chest infection has caused me some discomfort. Sounds like I have just left Buckingham Palace.

So some other birding stuff is at hand. When I was introduced to birding it was as a 13 year old and I would spend my weekends with Major General Wainwright on Abberton Reservoir. The major lived at Hill Farm, Layer-de-la-Haye. In fact just across the village from me with His wife Lady Nancy Craven. The general was of the stiff upper lip for his day and things would have to be right but he was always good to me. So he is remembered in a very fond way. I could tell some stories here but will refrain. But John who for as long as I can remember has run the Layer garage has managed to forward me some pictures of the general and if anyone can give any information on who the other people are in the picture it would be of interest to me.

North Denes, Lowestoft.

Overcast with occasional light rain and still.

Caught up with 2 CHIFFCHAFF but nothing odd about them even when I gained good views. I also had 2 STONECHAT but difficult in the low light to gain a good picture. Also 12 LINNET and 8 GREEENFINCH. A few GREAT and BLUE TIT, but not one L.T.T. There were two JAYS and 3 MAGPIE. One second year MED GULL and two adult birds. Not as many BLACKBIRDS but I did have a single SONG THRUSH which was unusual for Gunton Cliff. The marauding CARRION CROW numbered three so something has changed here as well.

Waveney Forest and Mound.

Very still and cold with water lightly frozen, slight breeze from West.

First engagement was on walk  through with a flock of 25 LONG TAILED TIT. followed by a JAY which was one of 4 for the day. GOLDCREST in good numbers with only 2 CHAFFINCH. ROBIN and WREN in good numbers but due to deforestation only 3 COAL TIT, a few BLU and GREAT TIT. When I approached the mound 7 BLACKBIRD took flight. Not much yet from this view point but 9 CHINESE WATER DEER and a single KESTREL. Far over the island  several CURLEW, LAPWING, PINK FOOTED GEESE, MUTE SWAN, MALLARD, 9 MUTE SWAN and 3 MEADOW PIPIT flew on by.
Walk through the woods brought just one WOODCOCK but it was good to see 20+ BLACKBIRD feeding in a rowan tree. Some of these birds were not British in origin and came by the look of it from Bavaria. They were feeding with a single FIELDFARE. GOLDCREST again and a scattering of TIT'S. I came across some feathers and suspected them to be woodcock and checked out at home and sure enough they where flank feathers.
                                                  Four flank feathers from a WOODCOCK

Ness Poin, Lowestoft.

North wind doth blow and we shall have.........first LITTLE AUK of the year with one bird flying North with DUNLIN and single bird on its own flying same way. A few KNOT mixed around with dunlin but the other bird of note was a single SOOTY SHEARWATER which was being beaten back by the wind. I also had six other auk which you cannot separate from each other but just good to see fly through. CORMORANT numbered 7. 17 SHELLDUCK, MALLARD 7, KITTIWAKE 2, DUNLIN flew north in two flocks numbering 30. I also had two flocks of STARLING fly in off numbering 50 birds in all. GANNETS flying well out and about 50 birds in all, but many more in reality. BRENT GEESE again North but only 3.

 

Home: Just before sunset if you can call it that I had 6 BLACKBIRD on my garden postage stamp lawn.