Sunday, September 14, 2008

This week at Priory

An early morning visit to the park on Tuesday, in the hope of beating the rain, turned into a washout. However in the short time I was there had Reed Warbler feeding a youngster high in the trees along the Spit.


On Friday morning did the walk from the park to Danish Camp and back. Highlights were the 32 Lapwing flying into the new workings on 100 Acre, joining the 10 or so that were already there. Green and Common Sand on Meadow Lane GP, now filling with water again so less good for the variety of waders we have been having there. I took the new riverside path on the outbound leg and noted that it had flooded when the river level peaked during the week, disappointing that the construction didn't take this into consideration. Given the number of times the river has been in flood this year the path is likely to be unusable for significant periods. Back in the park 8 Common Terns over the main lake.


Saturday morning met up with John and did a loop around the park. Highlights were the first Little Grebe of the Autumn, on West Fingers, along with 4 Shoveler (2m2f) and 5 Gadwall (2m3f). The male Gadwall are looking particularly good now. A few Reed Warblers around the crescent. Quiet at Kramer hide until a couple of young Sparrowhawks flew over and engaged in a little talon grappling. A few birds in the Elderberries on the way to the Rough, including a male Blackcap. Little else of note around the park excepting the Robins which were, seemingly, singing from every available branch, and the Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers making themselves heard above the din of singing Robins!


Away Day


On Wednesday I had a day at the Titchwell Marsh RSPB reserve in north Norfolk. This is quite a small reserve, if you don't include the miles of beach, but it's jam packed with birds. Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Avocet and Cettis Warbler were the highlights of a very enjoyable day. Even the sun put in an appearance!


Avocet

Redshank

Shoveler (f)

Spoonbill

Baker's dozen - 14th Sept

Yesterday (13th) took a net to the VC feeding station for a short while: 14 Blue Tits, 5 Gt. Tits, 4 Dunnocks, 4 Spuggies & a male Goldcrest; no Chaffinches. Mipits & Siskins on the move in the fog.

Today tried for some birds along the Long Hedge. General birding in between realised - 4 Jays together, Peregrine high over New Meadow, 2 noisy Green Woods (poss 3), 2 Gt. Spots, steady trickle of Mipits until 10:30 (nearer 10 counted/calling) & at least 3-4 Siskins calling behind Fingers.
The catch [7 new & 6 'old'] was made up of 3 male Blackcaps, 3 young Chiffs, a Reed Warbler, a new young Song Thrush, a Wren, a Dunnock and 2 Robins. Last bird - a female Goldcrest.
One of the Blackcaps set a new group longevity record at 5y.2m.16d; it was ringed as a juvenile in the 'rough' in June 2003.