Buteo battles

Out in warm sunshine for a change the promise of migrants didn't materialise with ten singing Reed Buntings being the most notable feature and only three singing Chiffchaffs on a three hour walk but three Buzzards made for interesting viewing on the way home as they called and sparred high above the Carr.

Gently soaring they would circle each other then one would narrow it's wings into a shallow stoop and pounce on another who would respond by turning up to face the attacker.

Had it been in focus this would have been the classsic shot so I've pastelised it in Photoshop. Tonight, smarting that West Hartford had Willow Warblers before Prestwick Carr I was listening to oueet calls near the goats trying to decide Chiff or Willow when a splendid Swallow with long tail streamers flashed low over my head. Splendid to see him back.

An average day

Head down concentrating

 Dashing this way....

 then that way...

and the smallest morsel of reward.

Bellasis blues

Sunday morning and the weather was calm so I headed up to Bellasis Bridge for some contemplation and the hope of Chiffchaff or Sand Martin. The Skylarks were singing and the river back to somewhere near normal levels but the banks have suffered greatly over the winter. The area to the right above where the rushes that would be home to Banded Demoiselles have been scoured clear.

Many of the banks have collapsed totally and I would bet that which housed the Sand Martin colony has suffered a similar fate. No Martins were present and as I walked to the copse north of the bridge there were plenty of calling Tits and some Redwing but no ChiffChaffing.

After some five months the farmer has finally been able to retrieve his round bales of straw although many are likely to be burnt as waste. One up side was that the remaining stubble housed numerous battling Skylarks and a flock of 48 Meadow Pipit along with a smattering of Pied Wagtails but I'm sure if the weather stays dry the field will shortly be ploughed and the habitat lost. Over the road, a mere four Lapwings displayed in a field of winter wheat that appears to have survived...

... but further south though the crop appears to have been lost the lying logs giving some idea of the extent of the flood. It's hard to believe that this is the location I heard a Corncrake last July although that too would be caused by the wet weather as the grass hadn't been able to be cut following the rains last April.

As time passed increasing numbers of cyclists passed through some in groups of up to twenty many in converstion and often very loud. The single chaps were a bit quieter although a couple of them looked ill advised to attempt the long deceptive climb back up the hill. Numbers approaching 75 in the time I was there was many more than usuual then as I got back to the car a phalanx of 25 motorcyclists drove north in line astern. My peace shattered I discussed life with the lady who pulled in behind on her horse amazed that the beast had not reacted to the traffic. As I got in the car the wind was picking up and swinging to the cold east again, Chopins Raindrop Prelude played on the radio and I pondered over the future.

One CC

Back on patch but I bet it didn't bargain for this weather. No 79 on the PC list.

It seemed to be finding plenty of grubs on the bark though accompanied by non stop huitt calls.

A mixed bag

At least three pairs of Long tailed Tits nest building on the Carr

 Spot the pair of Dipper at Bywell Bridge

and a smart Pheasant although still no migrants other than a flock of forty or so Redwing and the odd Fieldfare that Manic M and I chased up the bridle path last evening. Slightly unusual in that it's normally Fieldfare that are the late stayers.

PS. 18.10 Chiffchaff feeding furiously at end of wor road. Spring has sprung.

March highs

Despite the lows of the weather March has been a soaring success for raptor sightings.

O.k this one's a bit common but top and bottom are special

Not quite the usual view of this bird. Pity the photographer missed the best focus

Patch update

Despite the lack of migrants which is probably a good thing considering the weather the PC 2013 list has crept on. Clearance of the ditches north of the sentry box has seen running water which has attracted a Kingfisher which I've flushed the last two evenings and am now hoping to stake out. Some hope as my view to date has been a flash of turquoise disappearing under a bridge then over fields to escape! Also heard was a Grey Wagtail and seen a possible White Wagtail in the horse fields.

These fields also attract gatherigs of Golden Plover less than recent years numbering up to 150 rather than the usual 500 but some splendid summer plumage birds if only I could get close. Two Dunlin added nicely to the total but Curlew, normally up around 40 - 80 were late arriving and have peaked around 30 birds. Lack of worms due to the flooding suspected as the reason. The water levels are beginning to drop but Ducks are ever present with plenty of Mallard and Teal joined by pairs of Tufted and Wigeon at Banks Pond and a pair of Pochard which I missed. Two then three Oystercatcher have returned to breed along with a pair of Lesser Black back Gull and both Grey lag and Canada Goose are well established.

My emergency feeding regime has attracted Willow Tit, Dunlin, Great Tit and Reed Bunting in order of safe distance but one Robin still demands a hand feed on occassion. Water Rail and Buzzard are very vocal with Magpie and Long tailed Tit clearly nesting. Recent days have seen the ground dry enough for the farmers to be out ploughing and hopefully spring is around the corner. The list rests at 76.