Small Birds – Hook with Warsash in June

Posted on 25th June 2020 by Richard

Out and about again more

It’s good to get out more now, it’s summertime, no clogged up muddy boots and plenty to look for.

Hook with Warsash has been one of my favourite places since moving down this way from Kent. Situated at the mouth of the River Hamble you get the best of both worlds; coast, reed beds, fields and woods to boot.
Plus a chance to spot the Dartford Warblers amongst the bracken !

Young Dartford Warbler

Not being an early riser like a few years ago when I’d be up at ‘silly hour’ to fetch the wood in, light the Rayburn, feed the chickens and down about 3 cups of Coffee in the process, I usually arrive there around late morning armed with Sandwiches, a Thermos Flask and of course, the Camera.
Not many people about, just dog walkers and a few Birders. Luckily the Scrapes and most of the wildness is fenced off which keeps the dogs at bay and gives you a chance to rest the heavy lens on a fence post awaiting you very own spot of the day.

Linnet – Treecreeper – Whitethroat

Well, that certainly happened when two young Dartford Warblers gave a 10 second showing for a photo. These birds are the highlight at Hook with Warsash, beside the occasional rarity it’s these who birders and public alike always want to see. They’re elusive, but it’s the old right place right time scenario.

Greenfinch

All in all a good day and another day where you may see nothing for hours upon end, but something always pops up for you to rush home and upload your pictures to the PC !

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.
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New Wildlife Visitors down the Lane

Posted on 29th March 2017 by Richard

The last few days of March brought about a few new visitors, some of which returning and one new addition, a Treecreeper.
Maybe it’s my failing eyesight, but in two years of taking wildlife photos, I hadn’t come accross any, then like a London Bus I’ve had two sightings in a Month !

Our resident Fox has Cubs ?

You may recall I mentioned a second Fox showed up some weeks ago. This morning when she turned up for some food I noticed the Teats being very pert and heavy.
Rather than coming up the drive, she has recently been arriving from behind the Barn, so I guess that’s where it’s all going on.
She still has a limp and if anything got slightly worse, but to try and do anything about it now would be wrong as it would obviously mean separating her from the young ones. Also, I’m not exactly sure where the Nest is, somewhere in the old Derelict Windmill and adjoining Barns.

Grey Wagtails

Every year they come down the Lane; for a few weeks in Spring and again in Autumn.
Never a day goes by where they’re not paddling in the stream or gathering nesting material from the tarmac surfaces around and about.

Hedgehog is back

I’d been searching around the garden for a number of days hoping I would see some droppings thus showing Hedgy was out of hibernation and ready for Spring and Summer.
I’m pretty sure he or she spent Winter in one of my purpose built houses, it seems I was right.

However, since waking I don’t see him go in the Shed where I feed him, but I do see him coming out. Looks like his Summer Home will be within easy reach of food !!
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Wildlife Diary

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

Tag Archives: Treecreepers