Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Patch list week 9


26th Feb  A quick visit to Radwell, the Blue lagoon and the Greenway brought nothing new for the patch

27th Feb  The flock of Fieldfares and Redwings has reduced to about 60 from previous highs, possibly because the birds are now moving North as a stimulus to the warm weather or the lengthening daylight hours. We saw a number of skylarks, still healthy numbers for the area, three yaffles were seen, a windhover passed over us, we just missed a hail storm and managed to find some shelter. After the storm there wee a lot less birds singing. Les heard a couple of yellowhammers singing and we saw a pair of buzzards over the meadows by Fairfield park and I saw a green sandpiper in flight.

28th Feb  no trip

1st Mar an early trip to the Blue lagoon brought the pleasing view of two pairs of Wigeon, the tufted ducks had climbed in numbers to 31. Two yellowhammers were singing close by. I also heard a little owl calling along the Greenway.                                                                                     Patch list 69

We went to Grafham Water P.M. and found it like a millpond, we were lucky enough to see a great northern diver at close quarters through the telescope.                                            Patch list 70

2nd Mar  no trip

3rd Mar  An early visit to the Blue lagoon showed the Wigeon had gone, not a surprise, I suspect they were forced down by the foul weather. 3 yellowhammers now singing, Yaffles calling frequently and a pair of bullfinches were feeding on the new buds. After breakfast Les and I walked the Greenway down to Radwell and we heard and then with some patience found a little owl sitting high  in a copse, we flushed a kestrel and watched a crow harassing a buzzard.

4th Mar We spent a lovely day at Summer Leys in Northants, one of our first birds was a Great white egret. When we got home Les spotted a bumblebee bashing his head against our kitchen window. From the numbers of predators on the area between Letchworth and Stotfold, I can only deduce that the area is rich in wildlife.

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