A local walk in the woods

 Another day of icy conditions, however, the last day of this for now with much milder weather with wind, rain, and temperatures into double figures.

This morning I walked through local woods where a lot of standing flood water/ice remains with snow remaining, it was within the woods I found a lovely spot by a frozen pond in Carr woodland.  The woodland initially looked lifeless, but after waiting a while at least 4 Blue Tits, Marsh Tits, and Goldcrest passed through, keeping low where little wind bothers them, whereas high in the canopy the wind caused a good deal of noise amongst the upper reaches of the trees.

Whilst watching this beautiful habitat I was hoping for a Woodcock to appear, but it was not to be.

It was in this snowy woodland where I fund several patches of fresh earth where probably Deer had hoofed the ground for nuts, acorns etc.

Probably the most notable species seen this morning was Redwing where many birds were seen flying between trees, not only here, but in other woodlands also.  I managed to see a few Redwings on woodland floor where they were tossing aside leaf litter in their search for invertebrate food.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was 'drumming', but no sign of Lesser Spotted, a species I have recorded here in previous years.

Redwings are easily spooked Thrushes, however, with patience, these beautiful Thrushes will be encountered, as with this one, along with others, on the woodland floor searching amongst leaves for food.

Redwings, along with Fieldfares, are now beginning to show locally, these will be passage birds returning north to breed. 

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. 

1st February (A good start to record collecting for the month)

Some excellent records collected locally today began with a two hour walk through my local Breckland habitat. I decided to walk my chosen route following Dawn Balmer’s record of Hen Harrier there yesterday.  Despite not seeing the ring-tail, species I did record Crane (3) Marsh Harrier (3), Goshawk (1♂), Cetti’s Warbler, and Brambling.

Later in the morning once home, good record collecting continued when a fine ♂ Blackcap was seen feeding upon halved apples I hung on a tree.  A local Sparrowhawk also passed through causing panic amongst the Doves and Starlings.

Acrobatic Blackcap in garden 1st February

Blackcap (male) in garden 1st February

I arrived home at about 100hrs to find this lovely male Blackcap in one of trees feeding upon halved apples I hung out.  By providing this fruit like this, Blackcap was a species in the forefront of mind to attract into the garden.

Pet Portraiture and Wedding Photography

 I wish to announce that I am expanding my photographic interests to include Pet/Animal portraits, Wedding Photography, and photography for any special occasion.  In the current Covid climate, clearly, any work would have to be carried out under the appropriate restrictions in place for that given time.

I have recently completed a wedding I was asked to cover with very pleasing results for my friend/client, this included pet photography, which my client has given me permission to use here as sample pictures.

I use top of the range, professional class photographic equipment, this includes using long lenses for action photography.

I have a passion for photography and it is my aim to offer you top quality pictures without charging silly money asked for by professionals in the photographic business.  Prices for work to be carried out can be negotiated beforehand.

Attached here are pictures of my clients pets as promised.

New Garden Record 1st January 2021

 I went to bed at around 2300hrs on New Year's Eve as I was working New Years Day.  I woke at about 0105 and thought I would listen for Tawny Owls in order to start my New Year recording, however, my first bird species of the Year came at 0110hrs when I heard calling Wigeon passing overhead, a new garden record for me.  A short whilst later I did hear Tawny Owl, a more expected species.

I was up proper at around 0530 and left home for work at about 0600.  My drive towards Norwich produced a single Barn Owl at Carleton Forehoe.  My early afternoon drive back to Watton produced single Buzzard and Kestrel, again, at Carleton Forehoe.

At dusk, my second Barn Owl of the day was seen at Threxton

Not such an unlucky Friday the 13th on the patch.

From the outset, I thought today would be a great day to find a Raven on the patch. This wonderful Corvid is now being seen with increasing frequency in Norfolk and indeed, I saw a pair at Great Cressingham last year.

I initially wanted to check on Bramblings, and saw many within a mixed flock of 500+ Finches and Buntings.  It whilst watching the Finches that I heard a distant Raven calling, soon it appeared in view flying over fields, I had an idea where it was heading and relocated myself to that given location.

Brambling 13th November

Brambling 13th November

Having relocated myself I almost immediately saw the Raven alight in a tall Scots Pine, later, it flew closer and alighted in an isolated tree close to a Carrion Crow, here I was able to appreciate the size difference between these Crows.  A single Mistle Thrush investigated the Raven and looked decidedly small in comparison.

The main features of the Raven was clearly its very large size, its call, the enormous bill, and in flight the tapered tail, often referred to being diamond shaped.

Raven Little Cressingham, Norfolk, 13th November

Raven 13th November

The above two shots shows a classic identification feature of an in-flight Raven.  With this alighting bird, note the strongly tapered tail giving a wedged shape.

Raven 13th November.  Note the heavy, powerful bill

 

Finch Fest

Autumn and winter in the Brecks is a very special and exciting time for finding Finches and Buntings, and knowing their feeding and habitat requirements will assist in locating these birds.  Winter feed, notably maize and sunflower crops attract Finches and Buntings. 

In recent days I have been visiting a site on my patch which has traditionally been used for winter feed over the years, so imagine when I visited on 9th November to find a mixed flock of Finches and Buntings easily exceeding 1000+ birds, an amazing sight and sound.

Working through these highly mobile birds, it appeared Chaffinches formed the majority species, with smaller numbers of Greenfinches, Yellowhammers, and Reed Buntings, but also I estimated a fantastic 250-300 Bramblings present.

Brambling 10th November 2020

Brambling 10th November

Bramblings are regular winter visitors in variable numbers on my local patch, some years are lean in numbers, whilst other years produce high numbers of wintering birds, this year so far indicates a good year for the species.

Bramblings are similar sized birds to Chaffinches, although markedly different plumages.  Seen overhead in flight, Bramblings have a noticeably forked tail, also, they show much white on the belly and ventral areas.  Calls vary from a soft "tup" to a call I love to hear from this species, a nasally "zweeeeu", although text books indicate a variety of spellings for this call, although I am happy with what I hear.   Seen well at rest, male Bramblings have brightish orange scapular patches and breast, and i winter have a patchy black head, which is solid black in spring for breeding, this is a stunning feature of this Finch.  The bill is a straw colour.  A nice little plumage feature on Brambling are the small black spots on the rear flanks.  Female Brambling is like a washed through version of the male, her head is grey with two parallel lines on the nape.   

Bramblings are winter visitors with us, they return to breed in the Birch Forests of Scandinavia in March and April.  It is at this time in early spring when males developing their stunning solid black heads and mantles in readiness for breeding.