SEEDHEAD THAWING. Photo: Sue Blair.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
RINGO THE WOODPECKER.
Much the warmest start for a very long time! A beautiful Spring morning with lots of promise of a fine day although we wear our coats as the weather forecast says possible showers. Whilst waiting for the bus to the Wetlands, the hedges and trees bordering Digby Stuart College are alive with all sorts of chattering birds; lots of Finches and Tits with the odd Blackbird and Starling thrown in for good measure.
Arriving at the site, just in time for opening, we were greeted by a cacophony of goose honking. They were to keep this up for the best part of our visit and were still hard at it when we were leaving.
The ‘Wildside’ hide, as usual was our first port of call. The large lake was very calm almost glasslike in appearance and the many varieties of waterfowl were mooching about quietly enjoying the sunshine. It would have been an idyllic picture were it not for the Canada (and some Greylag) geese that had paired off and were now proclaiming their territories! We now knew what all the noise was about. Everywhere on the islands and the banks small areas of ‘prime’ land were being fought over. Most pairs seem to have got their ‘patch’ and were seeing off all interlopers with lowered heads, arched wings and, of course, a constant stream of honking. The Coots and Moorhens had gotten themselves wound up as well and little skirmishes were taking place everywhere with the trespassers being pursued both on and off the water!
One group, as pointed out by Leon, that were conspicuous by their absence was the Cormorants. There have been goodly numbers of these birds on the islands and especially on the rafts recently. Today there were none. I ventured that they might have gone back to their coastal domain now that the weather was improving.
We headed on back to the ‘Hedley’ hide, the walk probably only taking about ten minutes with a stop to watch a Heron stalking and attempting to catch some small morsel. From the hide we could see any number of Cormorants! “ Where the hell did they come from?” I asked. We had seen nothing flying above us. “They’re playing mind games with us” said a narrow-slit eyed Leon.
Breakfast, as usual, was terrific value and neither of us can understand how they can produce such a wonderful meal for the price! We left the restaurant noting that the wind had picked up quite a bit although it was certainly not a chilly wind.
At the ‘Dulverton’ hide we noticed that most of the birds had started to take shelter from the wind on the leeward side of banks and islands. Leon spotted a Common Snipe just in front of the hide amongst a group of Wigeon and Teal. I had been watching that group for a few minutes and hadn’t seen the bird at all! From this hide we moved to the feeding station by the Lagoon.
We were hoping to see the Kingfisher again but were destined to be disappointed. In fact, there were very few small birds about, the feeders being host to a couple of Ring-Necked Parakeets and a Wood Pigeon.
We decided to walk around the ‘Lagoon’ and were glad that we did. Amongst the Birches we were able to see many of the Finches and Tits that we were hoping to see at the feeding station. Whilst we were moving along, taking several breaks to watch certain things, we were aware of the sound of a Woodpecker ‘drumming’ on a tree. We couldn’t see anything as yet but were sure that the sound was getting louder as we moved along. I cannot believe how loud the ‘drumming’ became, I had heard the sound before, in Somerset, but the bird there must have been a lot further away as it was nowhere near as loud as it was today!
Leon saw it first. “There!” he said, “… a Great Spotted!” The one-man air raid siren had managed not to frighten it off! We both had a terrific view, for about ten minutes, of the bird moving around on the tree prising small things from the bark of the tree. This was a first for both Leon and myself. It highlighted the fact that one of us should soon think about getting a telescope so that we might practice the art of ‘digiscoping’.
We moved into the adjacent hide and watched the ‘Wader Scrape’ for a short while. No waders but any number of gulls of many several different types.
We next moved to the ‘Peacock Tower’ where we were surprised to find that there were not any people about. There were not many birds about either, they were probably sheltering from the freshening wind. The Canada Geese, however, were keeping up their assault on our ears! The bird-record boards showed that there were the first signs of other birds coming back to the site for the Spring and Summer.
The WWF hide was our next stop and I was able to see my first Yellow Legged Gull. Leon had slipped out to see if he could see the Kingfisher at the feeder area but managed to miss both, although there were quite a few small birds about. As we walked back to the Centre we were able to see a small flock of Reed Buntings, busy amongst the young Willows and the Birches. Sparrows with dog collars!
On reaching the office, or ‘Red Lion’ as it has become known, we were able to look back on and discuss all of the things that we had seen. We also had copies of the new ‘Events’ brochure so were able to start planning for those which we might like to attend. Two that stood out were: ‘Identifying Birds Through Song’ and ‘Early Bird Breakfast and Dawn Chorus’ a four a.m. start!
BIRDS SEEN: Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Heron, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Teal, Wigeon, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Lapwing, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Magpie, Ring-Necked Parakeet, Starling, Cormorant, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Pochard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Robin, Green Finch, Chaffinch, Yellow Legged Gull, Common Snipe, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Green Woodpecker, Greta Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Dunnock, Shoveller, Jackdaw, Mistle Thrush.
Arriving at the site, just in time for opening, we were greeted by a cacophony of goose honking. They were to keep this up for the best part of our visit and were still hard at it when we were leaving.
The ‘Wildside’ hide, as usual was our first port of call. The large lake was very calm almost glasslike in appearance and the many varieties of waterfowl were mooching about quietly enjoying the sunshine. It would have been an idyllic picture were it not for the Canada (and some Greylag) geese that had paired off and were now proclaiming their territories! We now knew what all the noise was about. Everywhere on the islands and the banks small areas of ‘prime’ land were being fought over. Most pairs seem to have got their ‘patch’ and were seeing off all interlopers with lowered heads, arched wings and, of course, a constant stream of honking. The Coots and Moorhens had gotten themselves wound up as well and little skirmishes were taking place everywhere with the trespassers being pursued both on and off the water!
One group, as pointed out by Leon, that were conspicuous by their absence was the Cormorants. There have been goodly numbers of these birds on the islands and especially on the rafts recently. Today there were none. I ventured that they might have gone back to their coastal domain now that the weather was improving.
We headed on back to the ‘Hedley’ hide, the walk probably only taking about ten minutes with a stop to watch a Heron stalking and attempting to catch some small morsel. From the hide we could see any number of Cormorants! “ Where the hell did they come from?” I asked. We had seen nothing flying above us. “They’re playing mind games with us” said a narrow-slit eyed Leon.
Breakfast, as usual, was terrific value and neither of us can understand how they can produce such a wonderful meal for the price! We left the restaurant noting that the wind had picked up quite a bit although it was certainly not a chilly wind.
At the ‘Dulverton’ hide we noticed that most of the birds had started to take shelter from the wind on the leeward side of banks and islands. Leon spotted a Common Snipe just in front of the hide amongst a group of Wigeon and Teal. I had been watching that group for a few minutes and hadn’t seen the bird at all! From this hide we moved to the feeding station by the Lagoon.
We were hoping to see the Kingfisher again but were destined to be disappointed. In fact, there were very few small birds about, the feeders being host to a couple of Ring-Necked Parakeets and a Wood Pigeon.
We decided to walk around the ‘Lagoon’ and were glad that we did. Amongst the Birches we were able to see many of the Finches and Tits that we were hoping to see at the feeding station. Whilst we were moving along, taking several breaks to watch certain things, we were aware of the sound of a Woodpecker ‘drumming’ on a tree. We couldn’t see anything as yet but were sure that the sound was getting louder as we moved along. I cannot believe how loud the ‘drumming’ became, I had heard the sound before, in Somerset, but the bird there must have been a lot further away as it was nowhere near as loud as it was today!
Leon saw it first. “There!” he said, “… a Great Spotted!” The one-man air raid siren had managed not to frighten it off! We both had a terrific view, for about ten minutes, of the bird moving around on the tree prising small things from the bark of the tree. This was a first for both Leon and myself. It highlighted the fact that one of us should soon think about getting a telescope so that we might practice the art of ‘digiscoping’.
We moved into the adjacent hide and watched the ‘Wader Scrape’ for a short while. No waders but any number of gulls of many several different types.
We next moved to the ‘Peacock Tower’ where we were surprised to find that there were not any people about. There were not many birds about either, they were probably sheltering from the freshening wind. The Canada Geese, however, were keeping up their assault on our ears! The bird-record boards showed that there were the first signs of other birds coming back to the site for the Spring and Summer.
The WWF hide was our next stop and I was able to see my first Yellow Legged Gull. Leon had slipped out to see if he could see the Kingfisher at the feeder area but managed to miss both, although there were quite a few small birds about. As we walked back to the Centre we were able to see a small flock of Reed Buntings, busy amongst the young Willows and the Birches. Sparrows with dog collars!
On reaching the office, or ‘Red Lion’ as it has become known, we were able to look back on and discuss all of the things that we had seen. We also had copies of the new ‘Events’ brochure so were able to start planning for those which we might like to attend. Two that stood out were: ‘Identifying Birds Through Song’ and ‘Early Bird Breakfast and Dawn Chorus’ a four a.m. start!
BIRDS SEEN: Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Heron, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Teal, Wigeon, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Lapwing, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Magpie, Ring-Necked Parakeet, Starling, Cormorant, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Pochard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Robin, Green Finch, Chaffinch, Yellow Legged Gull, Common Snipe, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Green Woodpecker, Greta Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Dunnock, Shoveller, Jackdaw, Mistle Thrush.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
SPARROWHAWK, CRANE AND BITTERN
Today we are lucky. Whilst the rest of the country is experiencing some terrible Winter weather, our Southeastern corner is very mild, indeed pleasant. I did not bother to wear a heavy coat, just a light fleece and a ‘hoodie’.
Although we arrived early at the WWT, there was already a good-sized crowd waiting to gain entrance with lots of gentle talk and laughter.
First port of call was the ‘Hedley’ hide. From here we were able to see many Cormorants on the rafts along with a few herons. Leon remarked upon the different markings on some of the birds which were quite striking. After consulting our ‘Collins’ we were able to see that some of the birds were in their courtship finery and others were non-breeding youngsters. It was then that I saw it. A Crane! I had never seen a crane before at the WWT. I quietly mentioned it to Leon who scanned the whole of the lake area. “Where is it?” he said, “ I can’t see it!” I motioned the far end of the lake “There, right at the end!” said I. He scanned for a few more moments until his eyes fell on the building site at the far end of the Centre ……….
Things were very quiet at the ‘Wildlife’ hide although we did see what we took to be a Kestrel being mobbed by Crows as it flew along the riverside boundary. Most birds seemed to be at the far end of the site. So we made our way back to the restaurant for another delicious breakfast, stopping on the way to check on the ‘Disco Duck’. He and all his mates were well tucked-up in amongst the Black Bamboo sheltering from the nippy breeze that had sprung up.
After breakfast we walked towards the ‘Dulverton’ hide, talking about the apparent lack of birds to see ad convinced that it was going to be pretty much a ‘blank’ day. Little did we know how wrong we were. We were about to have the day of our lives as far as birdwatching was concerned!
On reaching the ‘Dulverton’ hide it looked as if we might continue drawing a blank, as there was still apparently nothing to see. However, things started to look up when Leon said that there was a Snipe just in front of us. Indeed there was, and it was so close we could have poked it with a short stick! The bird (Common Snipe) was drilling into the mud right in front of us and so close that we had a wonderful view of its’ markings and its’ feeding method. It seemed to be totally oblivious to us. As we were watching I caught a movement in the corner of my eye, something moving very quickly. It was another Snipe heading straight for the reeds to our left, at top speed, with a Sparrowhawk right behind it! The small bird made the cover of the reeds and the raptor vanished from sight. The snipe in front of us had made good the chance to hide and I was about to suggest moving on when Leon motioned towards the area where the Sparrowhawk had vanished. It was sitting there, on a tussock of grass, only about 20 feet away in plain view. We were treated to the sight of the bird preening itself and cleaning its beak on the reed stems. Several times it looked directly into the hide at the people assembled and completely ignored us! A large, mixed, flock of ducks had all assembled in the water just beyond the Sparrowhawk, probably wanting to keep an eye on it. The markings on the bird were very easy to see so close up and the, bright yellow, piercing eyes were astounding. For about ten minutes we were able to study the bird and Leon was able to get some good photographs. Suddenly, the bird went rigid and focused on a small island away to our right. Everybody gasped as the bird took flight, straight towards the island and a Pigeon that had become its’ target. He missed again as the pigeon managed to evade his rush and the Sparrowhawk vanished once more.
After such an unpromising start, the morning had taken a wonderful turn for the better. Surely nothing could top what we had already seen? Approaching the ‘Feeder’ area e came across a group being led around the site. The guide told his group that the pool in front of them was the best place to see a Kingfisher that had taken up residence there. The bird was not in evidence so we concentrated on the feeders where we saw the usual crowd of finches and tits along with some Ring Necked Parakeets. Moving back past the guided group we noticed that the Kingfisher had turned up and we were able to get some good views of it.
The ‘WWF’ hide was our next destination. We entered; surprised to see quite a large group of people inside, as this is usually one of the quieter hides. The object of their attention soon became obvious. Immediately in front of the hide, no more than about ten feet away, was a Bittern! Although only a few feet away it was quite hard to see the bird until it moved. It was then that we realised just how close it was! Being this close to such a bird was something I never thought would happen, it was an incredible experience. The markings of the bird were both beautiful and effective, they matched the reeds perfectly. The one thing that I found unnerving was when the bird pointed his beak to the sky. He was still looking into the hide! The Bitterns eyes seem to wrap around his head, enabling him to see in front of him, whilst to all intents and purposes looking straight up in the air! Again we were able to study the bird for some time until it eventually walked from sight, deeper in to the reedbed. We hadn’t taken any photographs! We were so engrossed in watching the bird we had completely forgotten to take any! I don’t suppose that we will ever get such a chance again but the memory of that encounter will live with both of us forever!
We moved on to the ‘Peacock Tower’. There were quite a few people there and fortunately for them the weather was so good that many birds had now come out to feed. We were able to see many old favourites but I must admit that they all seemed to be quite ‘ordinary’ after our two previous sightings. I was quite surprised by the number of Crows around the site and am sure that the staff will have to take steps to control them.
What had started out a most unpromising day had turned into the best we have ever had at WWT. We know that we will probably never have another day like it for ‘wow’ factor but for two ‘newbies’ to birdwatching it is one that will never be forgotten! CRANE! How did he fall for that!
As you can imagine, our usual stop for 'a few beers' at 'The Red Lion' was a very excitable affair.
BIRDS SEEN: Chaffinch, Magpie, Cormorant, Teal, Wigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Heron, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Black Headed Gull, Lapwing, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Little Grebe, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Whooper Swan, Ruddy Duck, Greylag Goose, Kestrel, Gadwall, Common Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Greenfinch, Ring necked Parakeets, Kingfisher, Bittern, Starling, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Pochard and Wood Pigeon.
Although we arrived early at the WWT, there was already a good-sized crowd waiting to gain entrance with lots of gentle talk and laughter.
First port of call was the ‘Hedley’ hide. From here we were able to see many Cormorants on the rafts along with a few herons. Leon remarked upon the different markings on some of the birds which were quite striking. After consulting our ‘Collins’ we were able to see that some of the birds were in their courtship finery and others were non-breeding youngsters. It was then that I saw it. A Crane! I had never seen a crane before at the WWT. I quietly mentioned it to Leon who scanned the whole of the lake area. “Where is it?” he said, “ I can’t see it!” I motioned the far end of the lake “There, right at the end!” said I. He scanned for a few more moments until his eyes fell on the building site at the far end of the Centre ……….
Things were very quiet at the ‘Wildlife’ hide although we did see what we took to be a Kestrel being mobbed by Crows as it flew along the riverside boundary. Most birds seemed to be at the far end of the site. So we made our way back to the restaurant for another delicious breakfast, stopping on the way to check on the ‘Disco Duck’. He and all his mates were well tucked-up in amongst the Black Bamboo sheltering from the nippy breeze that had sprung up.
After breakfast we walked towards the ‘Dulverton’ hide, talking about the apparent lack of birds to see ad convinced that it was going to be pretty much a ‘blank’ day. Little did we know how wrong we were. We were about to have the day of our lives as far as birdwatching was concerned!
On reaching the ‘Dulverton’ hide it looked as if we might continue drawing a blank, as there was still apparently nothing to see. However, things started to look up when Leon said that there was a Snipe just in front of us. Indeed there was, and it was so close we could have poked it with a short stick! The bird (Common Snipe) was drilling into the mud right in front of us and so close that we had a wonderful view of its’ markings and its’ feeding method. It seemed to be totally oblivious to us. As we were watching I caught a movement in the corner of my eye, something moving very quickly. It was another Snipe heading straight for the reeds to our left, at top speed, with a Sparrowhawk right behind it! The small bird made the cover of the reeds and the raptor vanished from sight. The snipe in front of us had made good the chance to hide and I was about to suggest moving on when Leon motioned towards the area where the Sparrowhawk had vanished. It was sitting there, on a tussock of grass, only about 20 feet away in plain view. We were treated to the sight of the bird preening itself and cleaning its beak on the reed stems. Several times it looked directly into the hide at the people assembled and completely ignored us! A large, mixed, flock of ducks had all assembled in the water just beyond the Sparrowhawk, probably wanting to keep an eye on it. The markings on the bird were very easy to see so close up and the, bright yellow, piercing eyes were astounding. For about ten minutes we were able to study the bird and Leon was able to get some good photographs. Suddenly, the bird went rigid and focused on a small island away to our right. Everybody gasped as the bird took flight, straight towards the island and a Pigeon that had become its’ target. He missed again as the pigeon managed to evade his rush and the Sparrowhawk vanished once more.
After such an unpromising start, the morning had taken a wonderful turn for the better. Surely nothing could top what we had already seen? Approaching the ‘Feeder’ area e came across a group being led around the site. The guide told his group that the pool in front of them was the best place to see a Kingfisher that had taken up residence there. The bird was not in evidence so we concentrated on the feeders where we saw the usual crowd of finches and tits along with some Ring Necked Parakeets. Moving back past the guided group we noticed that the Kingfisher had turned up and we were able to get some good views of it.
The ‘WWF’ hide was our next destination. We entered; surprised to see quite a large group of people inside, as this is usually one of the quieter hides. The object of their attention soon became obvious. Immediately in front of the hide, no more than about ten feet away, was a Bittern! Although only a few feet away it was quite hard to see the bird until it moved. It was then that we realised just how close it was! Being this close to such a bird was something I never thought would happen, it was an incredible experience. The markings of the bird were both beautiful and effective, they matched the reeds perfectly. The one thing that I found unnerving was when the bird pointed his beak to the sky. He was still looking into the hide! The Bitterns eyes seem to wrap around his head, enabling him to see in front of him, whilst to all intents and purposes looking straight up in the air! Again we were able to study the bird for some time until it eventually walked from sight, deeper in to the reedbed. We hadn’t taken any photographs! We were so engrossed in watching the bird we had completely forgotten to take any! I don’t suppose that we will ever get such a chance again but the memory of that encounter will live with both of us forever!
We moved on to the ‘Peacock Tower’. There were quite a few people there and fortunately for them the weather was so good that many birds had now come out to feed. We were able to see many old favourites but I must admit that they all seemed to be quite ‘ordinary’ after our two previous sightings. I was quite surprised by the number of Crows around the site and am sure that the staff will have to take steps to control them.
What had started out a most unpromising day had turned into the best we have ever had at WWT. We know that we will probably never have another day like it for ‘wow’ factor but for two ‘newbies’ to birdwatching it is one that will never be forgotten! CRANE! How did he fall for that!
As you can imagine, our usual stop for 'a few beers' at 'The Red Lion' was a very excitable affair.
BIRDS SEEN: Chaffinch, Magpie, Cormorant, Teal, Wigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Heron, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Black Headed Gull, Lapwing, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Little Grebe, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Whooper Swan, Ruddy Duck, Greylag Goose, Kestrel, Gadwall, Common Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Greenfinch, Ring necked Parakeets, Kingfisher, Bittern, Starling, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Pochard and Wood Pigeon.
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