11th FEBRUARY 2007.
A MOST OBLIGING SPARROWHAWK!
Today had the feel of something good about it; we were back into our usual pattern with no major group outings or events planned at the Centre. The weather was great and not too cold and we were looking forward to meeting up with our friends, Terry and Liz. As we waited for the ‘bus we noted that the local birds were all in good voice and all seemed to be very active. Things were looking up!
We arrived just after the Centre had opened and so did not meet up with our friends immediately, but made our way to the Observatory. There were quite a good number of birds to see and I started filling the notebook straight away. There seemed to be quite a few people about, probably a visiting birding club judging by their equipment and the knowledgeable discussions going on.
A MOST OBLIGING SPARROWHAWK!
Today had the feel of something good about it; we were back into our usual pattern with no major group outings or events planned at the Centre. The weather was great and not too cold and we were looking forward to meeting up with our friends, Terry and Liz. As we waited for the ‘bus we noted that the local birds were all in good voice and all seemed to be very active. Things were looking up!
We arrived just after the Centre had opened and so did not meet up with our friends immediately, but made our way to the Observatory. There were quite a good number of birds to see and I started filling the notebook straight away. There seemed to be quite a few people about, probably a visiting birding club judging by their equipment and the knowledgeable discussions going on.
INSIDE 'THE LODGE'Photo; Reg Norman
EARLY BLOSSOM
Moving to the Lodge area we were very pleased to see our friend the Goldcrest was openly singing his heart out whilst flitting from branch to branch. We pointed the bird out to a couple of people who were obviously oblivious to its’ presence, we found out then that it was heir first ‘birding’ trip and they were really pleased with the way other users were only too pleased to help.
At the ‘Headley’ hide we caught up with Terry and Liz. The Bittern was not showing itself but a Water Rail had been seen on several occasions. Terry had caught a fleeting glimpse of the bird and kindly pointed out its’ last position to us. We chatted about this and that to do with ‘birding’; as we did the Water rail swam across a small open area of water. I had a fabulous view but Terry, with his back to the action, missed it entirely even though several people tried to alert everybody else in the hide. One nice thing that we saw was a pair of Great Crested Grebes that were starting to go through their courtship ‘dance’.
At the ‘Headley’ hide we caught up with Terry and Liz. The Bittern was not showing itself but a Water Rail had been seen on several occasions. Terry had caught a fleeting glimpse of the bird and kindly pointed out its’ last position to us. We chatted about this and that to do with ‘birding’; as we did the Water rail swam across a small open area of water. I had a fabulous view but Terry, with his back to the action, missed it entirely even though several people tried to alert everybody else in the hide. One nice thing that we saw was a pair of Great Crested Grebes that were starting to go through their courtship ‘dance’.
EARLY BLOSSOMPhoto: Sue Blair
ACROSS THE MAIN LAKE
Our small group moved on to the ‘Wildside’ hide, spotting many small birds on the way. There were no outstanding birds to talk of to be seen from the hide; even the ‘regular’ Common Snipe could not be seen. We were glad however to see that ‘our’ Stonechats were moving around and seemed to be enjoying the nice weather. I mentioned to Terry that we had not seen any Mute Swans on our weekend trips here for some several weeks, he replied that he and Liz had seen some that very morning. I know that Leon had seen some on the 1st February but not having seen them for so long, when there were usually quite a few pairs to be seen here, I was beginning to worry a little. Perhaps the unusually deep water levels were having an effect on them?
Time was getting on and Leon and I decided to get some breakfast. Terry and Liz went back to the ‘Headley’ hide to see if they could see the Bittern. We walked back in the general direction of the Centre and parted company for a short while.
We were soon reunited at the restaurant; there had been no new sightings of the Bittern and our friends decided that they would have coffee and cake before moving off into the ‘Waterlife’ area. I hadn’t realised just how hungry I was and could easily have gone another breakfast, big as the portions are!
Time was getting on and Leon and I decided to get some breakfast. Terry and Liz went back to the ‘Headley’ hide to see if they could see the Bittern. We walked back in the general direction of the Centre and parted company for a short while.
We were soon reunited at the restaurant; there had been no new sightings of the Bittern and our friends decided that they would have coffee and cake before moving off into the ‘Waterlife’ area. I hadn’t realised just how hungry I was and could easily have gone another breakfast, big as the portions are!
ACROSS THE MAIN LAKEPhoto: Leon Rusk
QUICK THINKING BY LEON!
Having finished our meals we all moved to the ‘Dulverton’ hide where we were immediately shown the whereabouts of a common Snipe by one of the hides’ occupants. The bird had settled immediately outside and to the right of the hide. Even though it was so close it was perfectly hidden until you actually knew where it was; then you could see it with the naked eye!
The reedbed where Leon and I saw the young Sparrowhawk after it had tried for a Water Rail was pointed out to Terry and Liz and the tale of us forgetting, once again, to forget our cameras was related. Leon showed the picture of the wing to our grinning friends and we moved on once more.
We were in for a surprise when we reached the feeder station; there was quite a crowd gathered, all eagerly watching the small birds. It was then that Leon spotted the Sparrowhawk, perched only a few feet off the ground in cover! He explained that this was the same place that he had seen the bird a week or so earlier. Terry fixed his ‘scope on the bird and soon an ever growing crowd of people were gathering to see the bird. Terry, very kindly, tried to accommodate everybody and there were quite a few people who had excellent views of the young bird.
The reedbed where Leon and I saw the young Sparrowhawk after it had tried for a Water Rail was pointed out to Terry and Liz and the tale of us forgetting, once again, to forget our cameras was related. Leon showed the picture of the wing to our grinning friends and we moved on once more.
We were in for a surprise when we reached the feeder station; there was quite a crowd gathered, all eagerly watching the small birds. It was then that Leon spotted the Sparrowhawk, perched only a few feet off the ground in cover! He explained that this was the same place that he had seen the bird a week or so earlier. Terry fixed his ‘scope on the bird and soon an ever growing crowd of people were gathering to see the bird. Terry, very kindly, tried to accommodate everybody and there were quite a few people who had excellent views of the young bird.
QUICK THINKING BY LEON!Photo; Leon Rusk
THE CROCUSES CONTINUE TO COME
Soon the bird flew off; perhaps the attention was too much for it. I was astounded that the small birds using the feeder continued to do so; perhaps they knew that it was not hungry or hunting? We proceeded to walk around the Sheltered Lagoon and thence to the ‘Wader Scrape’ hide. Although there were quite a few small birds to be seen on the walk itself we found the ‘Scrape’ hide o be a bit of a disappointment once again. The water level is still very high; we understand why but it is still a little frustrating. We have not seen the usual number of waders this year due to the water levels but the ducks have had it all their own way.
At the Peacock Tower there were quite a few people with their ‘scopes set up and others crowding the windows. There were good numbers of different water birds to be seen but it still amazes me that people from outside of the general London area spend so much time watching our latest pest species, the Ring Necked Parakeet. Perhaps we could persuade them to take a few hundred home each?
Leaving the Tower we made our way back to the Centre where we were to say our goodbyes. During the course of the morning, both Leon and I had been talking about going to Elmley Marshes next week and Terry suggested that he and Liz might like to go as well. This sounded like a brilliant idea and we said that we would keep in touch over the next week to finalise arrangements.
At the Peacock Tower there were quite a few people with their ‘scopes set up and others crowding the windows. There were good numbers of different water birds to be seen but it still amazes me that people from outside of the general London area spend so much time watching our latest pest species, the Ring Necked Parakeet. Perhaps we could persuade them to take a few hundred home each?
Leaving the Tower we made our way back to the Centre where we were to say our goodbyes. During the course of the morning, both Leon and I had been talking about going to Elmley Marshes next week and Terry suggested that he and Liz might like to go as well. This sounded like a brilliant idea and we said that we would keep in touch over the next week to finalise arrangements.
THE CROCUSES CONTINUE TO COMEPhoto; Leon Rusk.
Leon and I made our way to the Rugby Club where we watched Fulham get beaten by Bolton (extremely bad luck and a blind referee) and Ireland get beaten by France in the rugby. Ireland should have won, they deserved to but they stopped playing 45 seconds from the end and France stole it!
Having worn ourselves out watching birds, football and rugby, we repaired to ‘the office’ to relax! We left, as you can imagine, quite late and were lucky to get a lift from a friend who stopped at the bus stop where we were waiting. He inquired as to what we had been doing. On being informed that we had been birding he asked what we had been looking for at this time of night. “Owls!” was the reply!
Having worn ourselves out watching birds, football and rugby, we repaired to ‘the office’ to relax! We left, as you can imagine, quite late and were lucky to get a lift from a friend who stopped at the bus stop where we were waiting. He inquired as to what we had been doing. On being informed that we had been birding he asked what we had been looking for at this time of night. “Owls!” was the reply!
BIRDS SEEN: Coot Moorhen, Starling, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Great Crested Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Lapwing, Cormorant, Canada Goose, Chaffinch. Goldfinch, Blackbird, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Magpie, Common Snipe, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveller, Heron, Black Headed Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Long Tailed Tit, Wren, Pochard, Barnacle Goose, Reed Bunting, Coal Tit.
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