4th FEBRUARY 2007.
CLOSE UP TO A SPARROWHAWK.
Having been at Bushy Park for most of the morning we didn’t arrive at the Centre until about midday. What had started out as a very nice sunny day had become quite gloomy. The temperature seemed to have dropped a little although the fairly dense mist we had encountered at Bushy was left behind.
Although this was going to be one of our ‘flying visits’ we kept faith with our usual plan for covering as much of the site as would be possible. Our first stop would of course be the Observatory where we could ‘kit-up’ and have a quick look around the site.
CLOSE UP TO A SPARROWHAWK.
Having been at Bushy Park for most of the morning we didn’t arrive at the Centre until about midday. What had started out as a very nice sunny day had become quite gloomy. The temperature seemed to have dropped a little although the fairly dense mist we had encountered at Bushy was left behind.
Although this was going to be one of our ‘flying visits’ we kept faith with our usual plan for covering as much of the site as would be possible. Our first stop would of course be the Observatory where we could ‘kit-up’ and have a quick look around the site.
OUR USUAL STARTING POINTPhoto: Reg Norman
THE DAZED SPARROWHAWK
Although there did not seem to be numbers we would have usually have expected to see at least there was the usual diversity of species. We soon had all of the different types logged and we moved on to the Lodge area hoping to see the Goldcrest. We were to be disappointed; although we could hear the bird in the depths of he cover we could not see it. Somebody asked what we were looking and listening for so intently. I said that we were hoping to see a Goldcrest as we knew this to be the favourite spot for doing so. She thought that maybe the birds were all in hiding after the ‘Open Days’ that had taken place on the previous two days. I supposed that it could be one reason but was not entirely convinced!
We moved on to the ‘Wildside’ hide covering as much ground on the way as was possible. Truly, there did seem to be fewer birds about than usual although we could hear quite a few in cover. At the hide we met a nice couple who were quite keen to share information bout the site and he birds they might see. Leon pointed out the usual Common Snipe in its’ place just outside the hide. We looked for the Stonechat ‘couple’ but they could not be found and I hoped that they had not been taken by one of the local Sparrowhawks. We left the couple who were much appreciative of the little help with which we could supply. I would think that we may be seeing more of them as they really seemed to be enjoying themselves!
Making our way back to the ‘Headley’ hide we popped inside to ask about the Bittern.
By all accounts it had not been seen for a couple of days according to some of the regulars. We had a quick look around and moved on.
There did not seem to be too many people about; perhaps they had all come on the two free days previously. I hope that the WWT get some more members from the people who had visited.
We moved on to the ‘Wildside’ hide covering as much ground on the way as was possible. Truly, there did seem to be fewer birds about than usual although we could hear quite a few in cover. At the hide we met a nice couple who were quite keen to share information bout the site and he birds they might see. Leon pointed out the usual Common Snipe in its’ place just outside the hide. We looked for the Stonechat ‘couple’ but they could not be found and I hoped that they had not been taken by one of the local Sparrowhawks. We left the couple who were much appreciative of the little help with which we could supply. I would think that we may be seeing more of them as they really seemed to be enjoying themselves!
Making our way back to the ‘Headley’ hide we popped inside to ask about the Bittern.
By all accounts it had not been seen for a couple of days according to some of the regulars. We had a quick look around and moved on.
There did not seem to be too many people about; perhaps they had all come on the two free days previously. I hope that the WWT get some more members from the people who had visited.
THE DAZED SPARROWHAWKPhoto; Leon Rusk
THE WING!
There was nothing special to see from the ‘Dulverton’ hide so we did not stay long. As we detoured around one of the side paths, as we normally do, I heard a Water Rail screeching not twenty feet away from me. The reeds were thrashing about as was some bird or other and I craned my neck to see what it was. Leon came over and I told him that I thought something had had a go at the Rail and that it could possibly still be in amongst the reeds. He was not so sure but as he voiced his opinion a young Sparrowhawk fluttered up from the reeds and settled in a tree not more than twenty to thirty feet away! It looked as if it were a little dazed or disorientated and sat perfectly still for about three or four minutes. We enjoyed watching it for a little while and suddenly remembered our cameras. How many times have we both been so intent on watching something that we have forgotten to take pictures! Leon was the first to react so I did not bother as he normally gets the best shots. The bird sat entirely motionless as Leon started to ready himself for the shot. It flew off the moment that he was ready! Leon raised his camera which was obviously the signal for the bird to leave. Although quick, the bird was quicker and all that Leon was able to catch was the birds’ wing as it flew over his head! It was a good picture of a wing though. Perhaps he could take pictures of other parts of the bird and sort of ‘stitch’ them together?
THE WING!Photo: Leon Rusk
We moved on to the feeder area where there did not seem to be too many birds bout. My own opinion is that they had all had enough to eat for the day and were sat somewhere out of the wind which as getting even more chilly.
Walking around the Sheltered Lagoon and popping in to the Wader Scrape hide produced nothing of great note so we stayed at neither for very long and moved on to the Peacock Tower. I was very pleased to see that the Tower had been fixed after the damage caused by the storms in the previous weeks. Although there was nothing of great note to be seen from the hide, it was jolly good to be able to use it again! I searched high and low for the Stonechats but was unable to find them.
We made our way back to the Centre y way of the WWF hide; we didn’t stay long at the hide and went quickly to the shop where Leon bought some food for his ‘pigs’. On the way back we saw a woman whose child had fallen in on of the small ponds. Somebody looked after that child while she went to look for another one!
We made our way to ‘the office’ where we enjoyed a few well earned ‘relaxers’ and talked at some length about all we had seen during yet another great day out.
Walking around the Sheltered Lagoon and popping in to the Wader Scrape hide produced nothing of great note so we stayed at neither for very long and moved on to the Peacock Tower. I was very pleased to see that the Tower had been fixed after the damage caused by the storms in the previous weeks. Although there was nothing of great note to be seen from the hide, it was jolly good to be able to use it again! I searched high and low for the Stonechats but was unable to find them.
We made our way back to the Centre y way of the WWF hide; we didn’t stay long at the hide and went quickly to the shop where Leon bought some food for his ‘pigs’. On the way back we saw a woman whose child had fallen in on of the small ponds. Somebody looked after that child while she went to look for another one!
We made our way to ‘the office’ where we enjoyed a few well earned ‘relaxers’ and talked at some length about all we had seen during yet another great day out.
BIRDS SEEN: Jackdaw, Magpie, Coot, Moorhen, Wood Pigeon, Cormorant, Starling, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Pochard, Lapwing, Heron, Ruddy Duck, Great Crested Grebe, feral Pigeon, Great Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Shoveller, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Stock Dove, Ring Necked Parakeet, Blackbird, Greylag Goose, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Coal Tit, Carrion Crow, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Common Snipe, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Wren, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Song Thrush, Herring Gull, Jay.
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