Flushed

Out this morning in unusually warm weather which brought a November high count of 47 species in two hours with Cormorant, Long tailed Tit missed and a probable Jay which would have been the half century, a figure rarely achieved in such short time on the Carr outside passage season. It could have been the numerous shooters that had flushed everything for me so ducks and game were easily found along with flocks of winter thrushes, Lapwings, Lesser Redpoll and Siskin. 

A pair of Stonechat remain flycatching in the reeds with numerous Bullfinch and Meadow Pipit also present. I'm still searching for Short eared-owls or a rough legged Buzzard which would be nice but I guess I'll have to settle for quantity till the weather turns.

Spot the...................

(Leaf) Warbler.

Busy hedgerows

Very much a typical autumn weekend with flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing flushed from the hedgerows as you walk about the place. A couple of nice Song Thrush and a solitary Mistle Thrush completed the set. Still two Stonechat atop the reed heads with good numbers of Reed Bunting, Goldfinch and Bullfinch present.

This morning two Goldcrest fed amongst a flock of Long tailed, Great and Blue Tits. The range was in action and to my frustration a flock of 8 Lesser Redpoll and 15 Siskin flew overhead to the woods which are out of bounds when shooting is in progress. Three Mute Swans have taken up residence on Pringles Pond whilst overhead a party of 6 Whooper Swans headed south east no doubt Norfolk bound.

Old grumpy the hand fed Robin has returned to his patch hopping directly into your eye line and giving you a healthy stare if you stop. He was even more grumpy today as I had no food to tempt him with, the weather being so mild but I'm sure he'll find plenty.

Faded

One fungus worn to the bone

and a moth so faded it's hind wings were translucent. Not sure what either is although the feathered antennae of the moth suggest a name as does the split nature of the fungus cap but I will consider before going into print.

Saturday murking

A dank still morning with precious little light to help the pursuit of photography. Birds were a bit quiet too although Wren numbers are high with 20 along the bumpy road alone counting aided by their propensity to sing or alarm call as you pass. Also singing was a male Stonechat and a few Dunnocks so territory claiming for the next season appears to be underway.

With no wind this Kestrel was saving energy and hunting from the comfort of a fence post whilst up the bridle track the largest flock of Fieldfare / Redwing this autumn and good numbers of finches mainly Goldfinch and Chaffinch with three Lesser Redpoll managing to evade my lens. 

Urban deer

Four (honest, one had it's head down showing how easily they blend in) of a herd of six regulars on my webs count in an Industrial Estate just five miles from central Newcastle and if it was their desire they could walk along the riverside path to get there in half an hour. In the middle ground are four motor cyclists in fluorescent gear creating a huge racket with their scrambling activities but apparently the deer were less concerned about their activity than I.

Patch quiet

Not a Little Auk in sight!

Feathered Thorn

One of two moths attending my lamp on these colder nights my brain keeps thinking of one cartoon character.

Yosemite Sam although I'm not sure why other than the red colour

Same problem

I agree with NZ271982. Branches can be the bane of your life.

but I guess they're necessary for passerines.