Year List Update

 As January comes to an end, I felt it was time to update the Year List. There have been 5 new species since my last post.

The first addition was Brambling (83), that Jayne and I saw last weekend, at the National Trust Longshaw Estate. In total, there were 200+ birds in a mixed finch flock, including Brambling, Goldfinch and Chaffinch.

Brambling

The next 3 species were all seen this morning, during a ringing session in Shirebrook, Sheffield. Birds seen were: Goldcrest (84), Skylark (85 - flying over) and Bullfinch (86 - 1 male heard and seen).

The final bird was Red-crested Pochard (87). I saw this bird this afternoon, on Wingerworth Lido, Chesterfield, and it was most likely the same bird I had on a nearby pond last year. It was hanging around with the Mallards, and appeared to be interested in one of the female birds. Other species seen here were: Tufted Duck, Goosander (4; 2 males and 2 females), Mute Swan ( 2 birds), Moorhen, Coot and Black-headed Gulls (c.30).

Red-crested Pochard

Year List Update

Last week, Luke and I visited Linacre (see here). Whilst there, I managed to add several birds to my "year list" (numbers 61 - 71). I was particularly pleased with the Woodcock and Pied Wagtail ( 2 species very rarely seen at Linacre).

The final species, Brambling, was seen at the National Trust's Longshaw Estate, where Jayne and I saw a flock of at least 20 birds in the Beech woods by the small pond.

Year List update:
61 – Mandarin Duck
62 – Grey Wagtail
63 – Woodcock
64 – Nuthatch
65 – Treecreeper
66 – Jay
67 – Chaffinch
68 – Siskin
69 - Little Grebe
70 – Green Woodpecker
71 – Pied Wagtail
72 – Brambling

Something from the Weekend

After yesterday morning's Linacre walk, Jayne and I went for another walk in the afternoon, this time to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. We walked around the Lower Lake where we looked at the Heronry on the island. There were at least 12 Grey Herons on the nests, including these two. We couldn't decide whether they were a pair, or a couple of males arguing over nest sites. Whatever the case, I was very pleased with this shot, especially the left hand bird with its crest raised.

Grey Herons

Whilst walking around the lake, we also saw approximately 100 Black-headed Gulls, a dozen or so Teal, 3 Goosander (1 male and 2 "redheads"), Greylag and Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, a single Redwing, and a first for this site, an Egyptian Goose!

This morning I was out ringing with the Sorby Breck Ringing Group. Today we joined forces with other members of the group for a ringing demonstration at the National Trust's Longshaw Estate.  The fun started before we got there however, as a Short-eared Owl was spotted perched by the side of the road as we drove past at 6.45am. The session itself lasted for a good four and a half hours, and was very well attended, by at least 30 people. Thankfully, the birds turned up as well, and we managed to ring 60+, including crowd pleasers such as; Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch and a lovely male Great-spotted Woodpecker.

After the ringing session, the sun was still out, so Jayne and I drove across to Bakewell for a walk and a spot of lunch. We also had a walk by the river, so I had a look for the hybrid duck that we'd seen back in February (see post here).  It was still present on the river by the bridge, and this time it came much closer, allowing a much better photo.

Hybrid duck

There were still a t least 100 Black-headed Gulls still present on the river, along with Mallards and 6 juvenile Mute Swans. As usual I spent some time taking photos of the gulls. Here's just one.

Black-headed Gull

On the drive back from Bakewell we drove past Barbrook Plantation and spotted a couple of Red Deer, which we able to photograph.

Red Deer

Ringing Tick and Year List Update

Yesterday morning I was up and out with the Sorby Breck Ringing Group again. This time we helping out at a ringing demonstration at the National Trust's Longshaw Estate .

We set up at 7.00am and the first net round produced a very nice sight; an adult male Brambling. This was a first for me, and thanks to the generosity of the other ringers present, I got to ring it. Thanks everyone! No photos unfortunately, cause the ones I took were all rubbish and too poor to post! Have a look at this link to see just how nice a male Brambling is.

After this the weather started to deteriorate and we had the close the nets for a while. Luckily though, we reopened them after half an hour or so and managed to record 34 birds including 3 male Bullfinches, Great, Coal and Blue Tits, 1 Chaffinch,  a couple of  Blackbirds and a Great-spotted Woodpecker.

In the afternoon I went out to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with my wife, daughter and her boyfriend, for some lunch and a walk.  We went down to the lake, where we saw a couple of  "year ticks"; Grey Heron and  Great-crested Grebe. The herons were back on their nests on the islands on the lake. They aren't breeding yet, but are back rebuilding the nests and preparing for the forthcoming breeding season. Here's a picture of the lake with the nests in it. Its well worth a visit later in the Spring, as the nest can be seen very well from public footpaths.

Heron nests at YSP

Year List update:
81 - Grey Heron
82 - Great-crested Grebe

Garden Birding and Year Tick

I spent a few hours watching the birds in the garden this morning, and was really happy to count 17 species including at least 39 Goldfinches, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 5 Lesser Redpolls. I get Goldfinches coming in everyday to feed on the sunflower hearts, but such a high count is very notable. Lesser Redpolls are annual winter visitors to the garden, but 5 together is again,  a good record. The records will be sent off to the BTO's Garden Birdwatch Scheme.

Later in the afternoon I went for a walk with Jayne and Lydia to the National Trust's Longshaw Estate and Padley Gorge. We walked for about an hour, and although we didn't see much in the way of birds, we did come across a lovely flock of between 40-50 Bramblings feeding in the beech woodlands by the pond. A very nice Year Tick!

Beech woodlands at Longshaw

Year Tick update:
80 - Brambling