25th MARCH 2007.
A LOVELY SPRING DAY.
Compared to last week the weather today was excellent! It was very mild and there were some good breaks in the cloud. There was also not much wind to talk of!
We arrived at the Centre at our usual time; this gives us time to enjoy a few minutes at the Entrance Lake and its’ surrounding area. Most people walk straight past this place but we have learned, over the past couple of years, that you can sometimes pickup the odd bird here. We saw our first Fieldfares and Redwings at this place.
A LOVELY SPRING DAY.
Compared to last week the weather today was excellent! It was very mild and there were some good breaks in the cloud. There was also not much wind to talk of!
We arrived at the Centre at our usual time; this gives us time to enjoy a few minutes at the Entrance Lake and its’ surrounding area. Most people walk straight past this place but we have learned, over the past couple of years, that you can sometimes pickup the odd bird here. We saw our first Fieldfares and Redwings at this place.
FIRST COWSLIPS, 2007!Photo; Leon Rusk.
THE EAST ASIA RICE PADDY.
As usual, we stopped at the Observatory first to get ourselves properly sorted out. There were quite a few birds about and the prospects for the day looked good. On the way in we had noticed that the House Sparrows were starting to use the purpose-made nest holes in the Centre building; I personally love to hear their ‘cheeping’. We had also bumped into our friend Terry who was once again working as a volunteer. He was on ‘meet and greet’ duties for the first part of the day.
Entering the Wildside area there were many small birds on view; many were singing the little hearts out and most were sporting their courtship finery. From the Wildside hide we could see many birds but the numbers of our winter visitors seemed way down. A Kestrel was to make the first of many sorties over the site, scattering the Lapwings and Starlings; even a few of the smaller gulls went up each time he passed!
Entering the Wildside area there were many small birds on view; many were singing the little hearts out and most were sporting their courtship finery. From the Wildside hide we could see many birds but the numbers of our winter visitors seemed way down. A Kestrel was to make the first of many sorties over the site, scattering the Lapwings and Starlings; even a few of the smaller gulls went up each time he passed!
THE EAST ASIA RICE PADDY.Photo: Leon Rusk.
SPRING: BLOSSOM AND BUDS!
Breakfast was next on the agenda; it is not surprising that we get so hungry, we leave early and the fresh air seems to help! We enjoyed our meal and also watching Terry at his post on the Entrance Bridge!
At the Dulverton hide we were able to see lots of birds but again the numbers of our winter visitors was definitely down. We looked for the Snipe that usually hid in the vegetation just outside the hide but to no avail. We had also been told that there was a Jack Snipe about but didn’t see that either!
We walked along to the feeder area stopping at the Coots’ nest on the way. The little birds were doing well and were paddling about and being fed by their parents. Terry joined us at this point; he was now walking around the site offering help and information to visitors. As we said our hello’s Terry looked up and asked what the bird was, high above us. It was a Common Buzzard; one had been seen several times just recently and here it was displaying well for us! We watched it for a while and it slowly moved off towards the north of the site.
At the Dulverton hide we were able to see lots of birds but again the numbers of our winter visitors was definitely down. We looked for the Snipe that usually hid in the vegetation just outside the hide but to no avail. We had also been told that there was a Jack Snipe about but didn’t see that either!
We walked along to the feeder area stopping at the Coots’ nest on the way. The little birds were doing well and were paddling about and being fed by their parents. Terry joined us at this point; he was now walking around the site offering help and information to visitors. As we said our hello’s Terry looked up and asked what the bird was, high above us. It was a Common Buzzard; one had been seen several times just recently and here it was displaying well for us! We watched it for a while and it slowly moved off towards the north of the site.
SPRING: BLOSSOM AND BUDS!Photo: Leon Rusk.
THE SHELTERED LAGOON WALK.
We walked along with Terry for a while, stopping every now and then to answer questions and to look at various things. We could hear Chiffchaffs in the Willow trees and bushes; we were to see them later in the day but Terry didn’t claim one. He knew what one sounded like now and, so armed, would know where to look in future.
The Kestrel was still appearing periodically, putting the more timid birds up into the air every now and then. We had a particularly good view of him from the peacock Tower hovering over the Headley hide and its’ locality. We also got some good views of the Common Snipe of which we saw three.
The Kestrel was still appearing periodically, putting the more timid birds up into the air every now and then. We had a particularly good view of him from the peacock Tower hovering over the Headley hide and its’ locality. We also got some good views of the Common Snipe of which we saw three.
THE SHELTERED LAGOON WALK.Photo: Leon Rusk.
KESTREL : LEON GETS WHOLE BIRD!
The Redshanks now at the site were moving about all over the place; you could track them by their calls and the flash of their wings as they alighted in each new position. I thought that they didn’t seem too interested in pairing up just yet but were concentrating on feeding themselves up for the coming courtship period. Who knows?
As we were making our way back to the Visitor Centre to say our farewells to Terry, we had another fine view of the Buzzard wheeling around in the sky over the Boileau.
We retired to ‘the office’ to discuss the days’ happenings and some of the events for which we have booked our places.
As we were making our way back to the Visitor Centre to say our farewells to Terry, we had another fine view of the Buzzard wheeling around in the sky over the Boileau.
We retired to ‘the office’ to discuss the days’ happenings and some of the events for which we have booked our places.
KESTREL : LEON GETS WHOLE BIRD!Photo: Leon Rusk
BIRDS SEEN: Wood Pigeon, Starling, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Moorhen, Coot, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Egyptian Goose, Cormorant, Feral Pigeon, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Shoveller, Lapwing, Heron, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Pied Wagtail, Kestrel, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Ruddy Duck, Reed Bunting, Sand Martin, Common Buzzard, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Ring Necked Parakeet, Magpie, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw, Stock Dove, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Great Black Backed Gull, Little Grebe, Redshank, Common Snipe, Herring Gull.
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