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
30 January 2010
Big garden bird wtach:-
Blackbird 6, House Sparrow 10, Collared Dove 12, Starling 15, Chaffinch 7, Blue Tit 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Dunnock 3, Great Tit 1, Robin 2, Jay 2, Magpie 1, Woodpigeon 1, Goldfinch 2.
The number of goldfinches was a bit dissapointing as over the last few months we have regularly had between 10 and 15, just a single Blue Tit and Great Tit were also quite low and as for the Long-Tailed Tits (which are hopping around the apple tree as I write), Coal Tits and Greenfinches, they all decided to stay away altogether.
31 January 2010
We had guests staying overnight so the walk before breakfast was missed, but the breakfast wasn't missed, Cumberland Sausage this morning.
This morning there were two foxes in the field next to the garden, and although they made a fantastic sight it did prompt me to undertake a quick check of the chicken fence!!
After we had said goodbye to our guests and whilst the nation tuned in to watch Andy Murray the plucky Scot (If he had of won then I think he would have been the 'British' superstar, just ask Chris Hoy) I decided to take a walk with the camcorder. I was lucky enough to catch up with one of the foxes and managed to get some reasonable footage even if it was from quite a distance, 4 Roe deer also provided a similar opportunity.
On the bird front thing were fairly quiet, although I did locate all the Goldfinches that refused to be counted for the Big Garden Bird Watch yesterday, a couple of mallards on the sewage works, and a small flock of about 15 Fieldfare flew over. I was also able to tick my first local patch Mistle Thrush and Buzzard of the year.
ND
I always enjoy your walks ND, thank you. Your bird count was more impressive than mine, and like you my goldfinches did a bunk apart from 2 stalwarts.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
nice report as ever ND.
I;ve had my video out the last couple of days trying to get into the way of it again for our hols. Its only 3 years old and can be worked easily with one hand, fitting as does in to the palm, but do you know, its huge compared to a couple I saw yesterday whilst out and about. Amazing how quickly things move. Watching the footie just now and people are seeing it in 3D,!!!! - how long I wonder till I;m buying a 3D video lol
(Re Andy Murray , you're right last week he was a British hope , but only minutes after the game he was back to being a Scot. )
We were also goldfinchless. I can't remember never having goldfinch on the feeder. Somebody, somewhere, has a very high count of them.
Unknown said:We were also goldfinchless. I can't remember never having goldfinch on the feeder. Somebody, somewhere, has a very high count of them.
I bet it's Buzzard again.
That's true and he is keeping quiet about it.
Actually, I know I haven't been on here a while but even I noticed he's been very quiet about his count! Must be up to somefink
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
With all his visitors Buzzard probably needs longer than the hour to count 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!
Susan said: nice report as ever ND. I;ve had my video out the last couple of days trying to get into the way of it again for our hols. Its only 3 years old and can be worked easily with one hand, fitting as does in to the palm, but do you know, its huge compared to a couple I saw yesterday whilst out and about. Amazing how quickly things move. Watching the footie just now and people are seeing it in 3D,!!!! - how long I wonder till I;m buying a 3D video lol (Re Andy Murray , you're right last week he was a British hope , but only minutes after the game he was back to being a Scot. )
I know what you're saying about the size of these cameras, it's tiny - I've got it on a monopod to keep it steady and the whole kit weighs about 600g!!!!, We bought a tape one over ten years ago, at the time it was 'compact' with integral LCD screen aswell as a view finder and it cost twice as much as the one we've just bought.
The trouble is as soon as you buy something it has already been replaced by an improved model, you can now buy 'high definition' ones, but at present they cost twice as much, I'm sure in a couple of years time 'high def' will be standard.