Breckland Birder

Breckland Birder
Red Deer in Breckland, Norfolk Photo by Paul Newport

Saturday 13 February 2021

Recent records from the garden

With birding confined to the garden, and the occasional local walk for 'exercise' birding has been for the most part confined to the garden.  Concerningly, however, it is evident from reading various journals, social media etc. that some selfish people continue to go birdwatching clearly away from their local area.  When will these numbskulls comply with the current law and rulings regarding Covid.

Birding in, and from the garden in recent days has been productive, and indeed, if we were Covid-free, some species would have been missed.  

The first day of February provided me with a male Blackcap feeding upon apples I had halved and hung on a tree, in fact, I provided fruit specifically for Blackcap in winter.


A pair of Red Kites appear daily over the garden, as do Buzzards, but on the 10th February, a juvenile Peregrine passed NE and low overhead.  Sparrowhawks are regular.

On the 12th February a small flock of Lapwings were seen flying WNW, given the bitterness of the wind and recent snowfalls, I wonder if this was a hard-weather movement. 

House Sparrows are well represented in the garden with around 30 or so birds daily attending feeders, also Starlings are daily in good numbers.  I have noticed that the bill if the male House Sparrow are now black, a feature of the birds appearance which happens with the breeding season approaching.   A pair of Dunnocks are present daily, either with the male singing high in the hedge, or birds typically shuffling on the ground close to cover.  Single Pied Wagtails visit, they have a penchant for meal worms.


Blue Tits are common, I wonder how many individuals actually visit throughout the day as they move round various feeding sites.  Great Tits also appear, often at dusk.  I love to watch Blackbirds gathering at dusk in the garden, and close by, as they silently sit until it is time to fly to their roost sites.

I noticed today that Fieldfares are now putting in an appearance, these are likely to be migrants moving north for Scandinavia to breed. 

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