I would class my local patch as anything within about a mile of home, in particular the area to the north. The area is composed of fields, lanes, hedgerow, a small river, a SSSI area of flood meadow including an area of reeds, small woodland / carr and a sewage works.
I try to have a walk every week (not always possible) and maintain records for my own benefit, I will try and share some of these on this forum in future.
Over the years I have recorded the following species on my patch:-
Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Honey Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Crane, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Snipe, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull,, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Swift, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Roe deer and Muntjac are also quite common, plenty of rabbits, hares, grey squirrel, the occasional fox, I have even seen Otter on the river (also the unwelcome mink). In summer the meadows are alive with butterfles and dragonflies and I will update with individual species in due course.
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins
17 Jan 2010
Had a walk this morning, usually try and to this first things before returning home for sausage, eggs, and beans (sunday treat).
After the recent snow and thaw, the river is in full flow and the flood meadows are really doing their job, this has produced some temporary lakes and attracted in some different birds. The usual black headed gulls, mallards, moorhens, and snipe have been joined by 2 Mute Swans, over 100 Teal and a single male Wigeon. The wigeon is my first on the local patch, and stands out from amongst the large group of Black-headed gulls it is sharing a large area of water. The Teal are providing a great display, taking off from the water every time a distant gun is heard before circling the area 2 or 3 times before settling again.
Along the river a tit flock, mainly Long-tailed are moving noisily from tree to tree, a single Redwing is also about, as are the 4 bullfinches (2 males, 2 females) that tend to hang about in the scrub near the entrance to the sewage works, sounds so romantic doesn't it.
Hi,
have you got Grey wagtail or Chiffchaff at your sewage farm?
:)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
seymouraves said: Hi, have you got Grey wagtail or Chiffchaff at your sewage farm? :) S
ever get over to Sculthorpe reserve?
M
seymouraves said: ever get over to Sculthorpe reserve?
I think it is a lovely little reserve, often overlooked by many birders who visit Norfolk (I am partly guilty of this myself), tend to visit in summer as it is very good for dragonflies and breeding Marsh Harrier.
ND
That is an extremely impressive list of sightings ND. It must be such a pleasure to see them. I know of a couple of people who visit Sculthorpe whenever they are in the area as they say it is a brilliant reserve and, having seen some of their photos, I have to agree with them.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Sculthorpe is just about the best place I know for seeing water rail, brambling and marsh tit in winter :)
Grey wagtail is regular at the converted mill pub a mile east and there can be bullfinches and stonechats
there as well.
Wow that's a great list ND, and all on your 'doorstep'! Excellent! Love the sound of your walk and the ensuing breakfast too!!
Really must get to Norfolk one day...
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
24 Jan 2010
Grey and misty this morning, a little bit dissapointing as I wanted to take the new camcorder for a good workout this morning, anyway decided to make the most of it, glad I did as I was able to add a few species to the 2010 local patch list (not too hard to add new birds to a year list in January though).
Although there was still a fair bit of water in the flood meadows, last weeks lakes had disappeared along with the Teal and Wigeon that were enjoying them.
Worthy of note today and 2010 ticks were Grey Heron and Little Egret on the river, the little group of Bullfinches were hanging about in their usual place by the gates to the sewage works (classy!), they were joined by a meadow pipit and treecreeper (both year ticks), as was the Greylag Goose that flew over.
As usual there were several Moorhens about in the meadow, but I did not see any Snipe this week, a small group of about 10 Redwings were feeding in the paddock, and if you are looking for signs of (very early) spring the Rooks appeared to be getting a bit 'fruity'
Both local deer species, Roe and Muntjac were also present.
Oh,.....and the sausage, eggs and beanz were delicious.
seymouraves said: Hi, Sculthorpe is just about the best place I know for seeing water rail, brambling and marsh tit in winter :) Grey wagtail is regular at the converted mill pub a mile east and there can be bullfinches and stonechats there as well. S
These posts took me back 20 years !!! Sculthorpe is a old hornt of mine, i used to walk Toftrees to West Barsham to work !!! Omg i never took any notice of the birds then. Dont the time fly by, sorry its random but had to post ;)
Neil
If it aint broken, dont fix it !.... all good things come to those who wait !