Lings Lane Log
30/03/13 07:00 - 09:00 White frost and snow showers. Northerly breeze developing.
A Little Owl and a Snipe made up for an otherwise dull excursion on what looked to be a promising morning. A few Fieldfares and Redwings, Skylarks singing aloft, Long-tailed Tits and a Pied Wagtail were seen but still no Chiffchaffs.
A Little Owl and a Snipe made up for an otherwise dull excursion on what looked to be a promising morning. A few Fieldfares and Redwings, Skylarks singing aloft, Long-tailed Tits and a Pied Wagtail were seen but still no Chiffchaffs.
26/03/13 08:30 - 10:00 Cold & windy
A Lesser Black-backed Gull was a new species for the year but there are no spring migrants yet (except for a possible Chiffchaff that nipped in an out of a hedge-bottom). There were though about 100 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings, in the company of 100 Starlings and a few Blackbirds and Song Thrushes in the horse pastures. There were also 2 Buzzards enjoying the wind.
Later, I came across some photogenic Redwings (and Fieldfares) in the burial ground car park.
A Lesser Black-backed Gull was a new species for the year but there are no spring migrants yet (except for a possible Chiffchaff that nipped in an out of a hedge-bottom). There were though about 100 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings, in the company of 100 Starlings and a few Blackbirds and Song Thrushes in the horse pastures. There were also 2 Buzzards enjoying the wind.
Later, I came across some photogenic Redwings (and Fieldfares) in the burial ground car park.
25/03/13 17:28 Cold & windy
About 25-30 Waxwings have just wheeled over my garden.
A couple of today's garden visitors that stayed around for a photo.
About 25-30 Waxwings have just wheeled over my garden.
A couple of today's garden visitors that stayed around for a photo.
23/03/13 07:00 - 08:30 Continuous fine driven snow. 0°.
The only sounds were a calling Green Woodpecker and Skylark. The only wildlife I saw was Carrion Crows, Magpies, Woodpigeons, Yellowhammers and a Wren.
Tim did say what breed his sheep were but I only recall that they are mules with some Swaledale, Whiteface and Charolais involved somewhere along the line.
The only sounds were a calling Green Woodpecker and Skylark. The only wildlife I saw was Carrion Crows, Magpies, Woodpigeons, Yellowhammers and a Wren.
Tim did say what breed his sheep were but I only recall that they are mules with some Swaledale, Whiteface and Charolais involved somewhere along the line.
18/03/13 07:15 - 10:00 Frosty start, light snow fluuries, dead calm.
Rabbits were still active early on and I lost count of the Hares but it was probably about the same as 17th (11). At least 2 Goldcrests and both these and scattered Skylarks were singing. 2 Grey Partridges were the first (of either species) that I've seen this year.
Rabbits were still active early on and I lost count of the Hares but it was probably about the same as 17th (11). At least 2 Goldcrests and both these and scattered Skylarks were singing. 2 Grey Partridges were the first (of either species) that I've seen this year.
17/03/13 06:30 - 08:30 Cold, calm, damp. 2°
5 Moorhens, 2 Kestrels and 6 Bullfinches were high counts and along with the Green Woodpecker and a Buzzard represented the usual species. 2 Mute Swans in a neighbouring field were very unusual and when they spotted me they slowly taxied into position for a subsequent low fly-past as they headed off north. 11 Hares in groups of 3, 3, 2, 1 and 2 over three fields was also a high count. A single Greylag Goose flew over.
5 Moorhens, 2 Kestrels and 6 Bullfinches were high counts and along with the Green Woodpecker and a Buzzard represented the usual species. 2 Mute Swans in a neighbouring field were very unusual and when they spotted me they slowly taxied into position for a subsequent low fly-past as they headed off north. 11 Hares in groups of 3, 3, 2, 1 and 2 over three fields was also a high count. A single Greylag Goose flew over.
15/03/13 08:30 - 10:30 Cloudy with cold southerly f5. Rain developing. 6°C.
Heard the Green Woodpecker for the first time in weeks. 3 Hares, 2 Moorhems, a Reed Bunting in potential territory, 3 Skylarks and a party of about 15 Yellowhammers. Red Dead-nettle in flower.
Heard the Green Woodpecker for the first time in weeks. 3 Hares, 2 Moorhems, a Reed Bunting in potential territory, 3 Skylarks and a party of about 15 Yellowhammers. Red Dead-nettle in flower.
14/03/13 11:30 - 13:45 Cloudless start becoming colder and 7/8 cloud. 6°C.
A very brief Kingfisher made up for a dull visit with 2 Buzzards and a few Long-tailed Tits being of interest. The Celandines and White Willow catkins are breaking bud and a 7-spot Ladybird was my first this year but it wasn't looking too happy.
A very brief Kingfisher made up for a dull visit with 2 Buzzards and a few Long-tailed Tits being of interest. The Celandines and White Willow catkins are breaking bud and a 7-spot Ladybird was my first this year but it wasn't looking too happy.
13/03/13 11:15 - 13:30 Cold, overcast with sunny breaks.
An unexpectedly interesting couple of hours with the highlight being a 5 second glimpse of a fly-by Red Kite.
Twenty or so scattered Fieldfares were accompanied by a few Redwings and three Linnets. A Heron did a circuit and a Pied Wagtail was the first in the area this year.
That's 50 species of bird so far this year, and the summer migrants are only a month away.
An unexpectedly interesting couple of hours with the highlight being a 5 second glimpse of a fly-by Red Kite.
Twenty or so scattered Fieldfares were accompanied by a few Redwings and three Linnets. A Heron did a circuit and a Pied Wagtail was the first in the area this year.
That's 50 species of bird so far this year, and the summer migrants are only a month away.
09/03/13 07:00 Foggy 2°.
Uninviting weather for trips out but a Sparrowhawk was having breakfast on my garden lawn when I looked out. I think the kill must be a female Blackbird. He revisited the crime scene later.
The primary length is 122mm if anyone has a better idea.
Uninviting weather for trips out but a Sparrowhawk was having breakfast on my garden lawn when I looked out. I think the kill must be a female Blackbird. He revisited the crime scene later.
The primary length is 122mm if anyone has a better idea.
05/03/13 09:00 - 10:45 -1° Foggy increasing to +1°.
Visibility not much greater than 100m and remaining so. Only a Kestrel of interest but Chaffinches, Great Tits, Blue Tits and Tree Sparrows at the hopper with a pair of Bullfinches nearby - well away from their normal location in and around the meadow.
Visibility not much greater than 100m and remaining so. Only a Kestrel of interest but Chaffinches, Great Tits, Blue Tits and Tree Sparrows at the hopper with a pair of Bullfinches nearby - well away from their normal location in and around the meadow.
04/03/13 13:15 - 15:30 Hazy sunshine 10°.
Hardly a bird worth a mention to be seen, but the sunshine was pleasant and I heard a Moorhen!
Hardly a bird worth a mention to be seen, but the sunshine was pleasant and I heard a Moorhen!
Later, a Fieldfare had a bath in my garden pond.
03/03/13 11:00 - 01:30 Overcast 6° becoming sunny 11°.
A Kingfisher dashing along the brook was the first here for several years and it was followed by a lone drake Teal disturbed from the shallows. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen and a Buzzard was heard.
A Kingfisher dashing along the brook was the first here for several years and it was followed by a lone drake Teal disturbed from the shallows. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen and a Buzzard was heard.
01/03/13 09:00 - 10:45 Overcast, cool breeze.
An isolated White dead-nettle was the first flower of the year. 100 Fieldfare, a few Goldfinches, a Goldcrest (again in the meadow - the 2nd this year) and a Long-tailed Tit were the best of the birds.
An isolated White dead-nettle was the first flower of the year. 100 Fieldfare, a few Goldfinches, a Goldcrest (again in the meadow - the 2nd this year) and a Long-tailed Tit were the best of the birds.