Monday, 28 March 2011

Weekend wanderings 27/03/2011

A walk along Caunsall canal was to be a real treat today despite the cloud cover, such a pity the sun did not shine! Chiffchaffs were heard on arrival and several heard and seen throughout the afternoon. A flock of c40 Redwings were in Ivy covered trees no doubt eating the juicy berries, a Brambling was spotted whilst viewing the Redwings and a small flock of Fieldfare flew over. Mistle Thrush were seen several times at least 6 individuals. 3 Buzzards were mewing and soaring and 2 of these an obvious pair. Long-tailed Tits were as numerous as Blue and Great tits and a pair of Nuthatch were seen gathering mud from an embankment for their nest making, a delightful sight! At the sewage treatment works were my target bird for the day Grey Wagtail, a pair! Just the two surprisingly and a single Pied Wagtail. The remaining species seen today were Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Coal Tit, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Jay, Green Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Moorhen, Mallard, a Kestrel on the way home and Greenfinch heard. A Peacock strutted it's stuff in one of the paddocks, a nice surprise and a great sight to see!

Not a very picturesque perch but the Grey Wagtail was at a sewerage works!
The strutter!

I haven't an ID for this plant yet, there were several along the towpath.
Edit: The plant is Butterbur Petasites hybridus
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6 comments:

  1. Anonymous28 March 2011 at 11:51

    I like your Grey Wagtail picture Pam.....despite it's choice of surroundings! lol
    Your flower looks very interesting too....almost Orchid like?

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  2. Pam28 March 2011 at 15:09

    Thanks Ruth! Choice surroundings indeed.lol! I was chuffed to get my target bird, it was a bonus after having great views of all the other lovely bird species seen on the walk.

    The flower is Butterbur! The flower spikes appear March-May before the humongous leaves which can grow up to 1m!

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  3. Anonymous28 March 2011 at 15:34

    Good info on the flower thanks Pam....I'll look out for one!

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  4. Pam29 March 2011 at 10:57

    My pleasure Ruth! Good hunting!

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  5. Richard Prior29 March 2011 at 13:43

    Great pictures there I like the picture of the Grey wagtail.

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  6. Pam29 March 2011 at 20:25

    Thank you Richard! Not the most pleasing of settings but I got my Grey Wagtail nevertheless.lol!

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