August – Early September

Posted on 16th September 2020 by Richard

Migration starts so busy times ahead

Hook-with-Warsash

It’s always nice to have a highlight of the month and this month was without a doubt the Pied Flycatcher at Hook-with-Warsash. I’d heard there was one about and after a long circular walk spotted it in a residential street on my car back to the car. In fact it was about 200 meters away from the car. It’s amazing how often you can walk a long way, just see the norm and when all is lost you spot something in the Car Park back at your home !

Pied Flycatcher – Cowes Lane

Winter’s day birdwatching at Godmersham

Posted on 19th January 2018 by Richard

As I said in my previous post, the small village of Godmersham is only two miles from my place and I seldom go there bird watching.
I’ve certainly, up to the last week, missed out this winter, beside the wonderful appearance of Hawfinches, there’s an array of small birds about with a constant chorus of song.

Goldcrest

The busiest day this week was Wednesday, no sooner had I got out of the Van did I see three Goldcrests jumping between a Yew Tree and the Graveyard wall, then looking upwards, a Grey Wagtail sitting on the roof of the Church.

Goldfinch – Long Tailed Tit – Grey Wagtail

Mistle Thrush – Treecreeper – Greenfinch

Walking along the Lane I encounted two Nuthatches and 4 Treecreepers which although not rare, not often seen so much in the open, if seen at all !

Long Tailed Tits and Goldcrests were most in number, never seen so many in one area.
Add to that 4 Greenfinches and two Mistle Thrushes, you just couldn’t find anything negative on a beautifully sunny Winter’s day.
One Lady arrived from further down the Lane and said she was watching a Blackbird foraging when a Sparrowhawk came down and took it away in one foul swoop.

Nuthatch

One thing which did surprise me was a few of the Birders remarking on Coal Tits. I never knew they are maybe one of the lesser seen birds. Without sounding too much of a show off I told them I have about a dozen in my Garden every day!

Male Chaffinch

Little Egret in River next to Church

All in all, a special morning out and with the Hawfinches as well has to go down as one of the best days as well.
[fblike]

Woodland at Hook with Warsash

Posted on 14th March 2017 by Richard

Just a mile on from Warsash and where the River Hamble finally flows into Southampton Water, is Hook with Warsash.
There are a number of walks around and about, one to the water’s edge going through semi Woodland and Reeds, another into Woodland and finally open field and heath.

Chiffchaff in early Spring noisy mode!

I usually do a little of them all and for those who think miles, it’s not, the three areas can be done by walking probably just a mile and a half and all walks have their own character and tundra.

Goldfinch

Again you will be subject to the passing dog or Cyclist but the area is large enough for you to find your own little corners and angles.
On this walk I went for the Woodland section and was surprised at how many birds I saw.

Greenfinch – Goldcrest

I didn’t have to look far to see Nuthatches and Goldcrests, two fo the not so easy to spot birds.
There were many Green Woodpeckers in the long grass of the open land, but too quick for me this time, pity.

Nuthatch

The other nice thing about this area is that it can be quite windy along the water, but most of the Woodland and Heath is protected from any cold breezes which may be apparent.
Other things to look out for are the occasional Weasel and Curlews feeding in the Fields when the tide is in, also a place where 100’s of Geese can take a rest.

I always enjoy it there. Even if I see few birds, the scenery is splendid and the tall trees give the Woodland areas quite an ancient feel.
[fblike]

February Wildlife Summary

Posted on 28th February 2017 by Richard

In general February has been an especially good month for spotting wildlife both at home and beyond. Highlights though have to be the Waxwings at East Malling and the Bittern at Conningbrook Lakes.

As the month has continued, so has the birdsong and the numbers of House Sparrows in my garden are showing a big increase over last year.
Although I’ve put various bird boxes up here and there, the house, garden and immediate surroundings are a magnet for nesting birds; the Barn, the derelict Windmill, Hedgerow, Woods and good old fashioned eaves around the house.

The Great Crested Grebes at Singleton
Since my last entry…

Singleton Lakes

Yesterday I’d heard there were two Great Crested Grebes going through their courtship procedure so popped along in the hope of getting the classic poses.
They almost gave me the classic but I think she had a headache! As soon as things seemed set, they parted not to be seen again in the hour I spent there waiting.
Maybe I’ll try again during the week.

Brent Geese flying past at Seasalter

Whitstable and Seasalter

Last Friday I ventured over to Whitstable for an Eye Clinic Appointment and having never been to Whitstable Town (shame on me – I’m a thoroughbred Kentish Man) took a stroll around.
After that I called in to Seasalter. The tide was out and when I say out, it was a long long way out. Plenty of Waders about including Curlews, 100’s of Golden Plover, Oyster Catchers and four lots of Brent Geese flying past.

Male Chaffinch and Greenfinch on Feeder at RSPB Dungeness

March will I have no doubt have much going on; the start of bird migration, the start of nest building and some creatures coming out of hibernation. Much to look out for.

Just this morning, the Jay pays a visit

Outside of the immediate areas I have six days in Southampton where I shall visit my favourite spot down there at Warsash / Hamble estuary, a possible day out to Arne or alternatively Titchfield Haven (you have to pay there though!!).
On 2nd April I have a family Party in Selsey Bill, so may take the Camper down there a few days before and explore Pagham.

Action filled !
[fblike]

Sunny day at Dungeness

Posted on 18th January 2017 by Richard

I arrived at RSPB Dungeness at 0945., clear, sunny, no wind and zero degrees.
Earler I had ensured I had ample clothing; on top I had 2 T-Shirts, 2 Jumpers, a Shirt and my thick 100% Wool Nepalese Jacket.
After about 200 meters, I was too hot !

Meadow Pipit

I started off with a quick look to see if the two Long Eared Owls were giving everyone a show, neither of them did so I wandered off around the Hides, made my way to the Viewpoint and headed back.
It was nice as unlike my last few visits smaller birds were appearing; a male and female Stonechat were busy amongst the Gorse between the Christmas and Dengemarsh Hides, this was followed by a nice pose from a male Chaffinch perched in the bushes. In fact, there were probably 20 plus there.

Male and Female Stonechat

Next stop would be the Beach by the Power Station, but as I was getting in the Car, a Greenfinch appeared just opposite.
Not only were there quite a number of small birds around but many Humans as well, the most I’ve seen there since last Autumn.
Shame is that speaking to some it seemed they were there to see the Owls and the Ringed Neck Duck. At least they saw the latter who is still displaying well at Boulderwall.
No sign of the Slavonian Grebes on the New Diggings.

Meadow Pipit on wall at Dungeness Power Station

Meadow Pipit not in Meadow! – Early morning on Reserve – Greenfinch

I parked up at my usual spot beside the Old Dungeness Lighthouse and before enjoying a Roll and brew up, looked at the Garden. Nothing to be seen but even in this cold cold weather, there are still Bumble Bees flying there.

Male Chaffinch

Onward to the Beach. I walked up to where the Nuclear Station waste water is pumped into the sea which attracts literally hundreds of Gulls weaving and ducking. With three others I searched for the Icelandic Gulls which arrived two days previous, but I’m afraid our eyes could not keep up with them.
I took lots of photos to bring home and expand on the larger screen, but couldn’t pick them out.

Some of the hundreds of Gulls around the Point</center>

On my way back to the Car, a Meadow Pipit started jumping up and down on the Power Station Wall. Most obliging it was too and I managed to get a few half decent shots.

Other than that, there were two Great White Egrets at the ARC and a Sparrowhawk beautifully posed on a dead tree which, naturally, flew off just as I clicked. A nice close up of a branch and blue sky though !

Great White Egret at Conningbrook Lakes

Posted on 16th January 2017 by Richard

I read yesterday there was a Great White Egret at Conningbrook Lakes so this morning, rather than take a somewhat boggy walk over the fields I decided to drive the one mile around to the main entrance, it was my lucky day!

Great White Egret and Heron Conningbrook Lakes

The Great White Egret and Heron

Not only did I instantly see Great White but it was resting no more than three meters away from a Heron. Although this would I have no doubt not be uncommon, it made for a nice photo composition.
Pity was I would have to walk past the spot sooner or later (either I would or a dog walker would), so as soon as I was about 50 meters away they both flew off to the furthest most point of the main lake.

A mixture of Greylag and Canada Geese – Female Chaffinch

Four Tufted Ducks – female Chaffinch

In fact, today was just about the busiest I’ve seen it there this winter; I would estimate 300 Greylag Geese, 50 Canada Geese all mixing well with the usual Coots, Wigeon, Gadwalls, Mallards and Tufted Ducks.

Long Tailed Tit on Riverbank

Small bird wise, some 20 Goldfinches were alongside the entrance drive, 30 or more Chaffinches in an area where they’ve just efficiently cut back some of the Reeds, a few Goldcrests and a large number of Long Tailed Tits were flitting around almost all parts of the Lakes.
Surprisingly, there was nothing on the Eco Lake.

One’s jumping the Queue !!

The Kent Wildlife Trust along with Connington Lakes have been doing some grand work clearing some of the Reeds and bush over the last few weeks, all great to see and have no ending opportunities for Spring and Summer bringing in more Birds, Butterflies, Reptiles and more.

Birds returning down the Lane after Summer breaks

Posted on 1st November 2016 by Richard

The last few days of the month have welcomed back a few birds down the Lane.
First it was the Chiffchaffs and Grey Wagtails and now the Pied Wagtails, some Chaffinches, Lapwings and the always welcomed Fieldfares.

The Fieldfares arrived last Sunday, about 30 or 40 to begin with, then the following day,probably 150 came in and have spread themselves across the fields along the half mile stretch from here to the Great Stour two fields down.

The Grey Wagtails are still bathing a lot in the Stream which at present is quite low due to a fairly long dry period. It will be interesting to see what happens when the water rises a bit. Not too much I hope.

In fact, on Tuesday, a walk down to the River afforded me not only the above but a Buzzard popping here and there on the field, a few Yellowhammers just meters away from the house and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Yellowhammer – Great Spotted Woodpecker – Lapwings – Pied Wagtail

From all the above only the Fieldfares are migrants from overseas, but there are many birds who seemed to leave in late Spring and now returning.

Of note is the huge increase in Blackbirds. As far as I can make out, none are migrants, so just flown further south to here for Winter.

Finally, Jay, again first viewing of one here since Spring when I regret to say had 4 or 5 fledgling Sparrows from the nest above the back door.
Always a great shame, but nature rules.

Here comes Winter and the weather this week seems to be confirming just that.

Wildlife Diary

Recording wild life through the year around Hampshire, Kent and elsewhere

Tag Archives: Chaffinch