Return of the Sparrowhawk!.... 27/02/2010

I spotted the Sparrowhawk perched in the Willow tree in my garden! She looked quite content though with those eyes glaring she was still on the alert! She perched in the tree for around an hour and a half. A Blue Tit started alarm calling in the tree above her and then crossed over the garden to continue calling in the Silver Birch...one sensible Blue Tit! Apart from the Blue Tit nothing else ventured in to the garden while she sat perched. I reckon she had eaten and was just resting until the food had digested. After she had flown three Feral Pigeons came in to feed, they were risking it but survived! This morning there were six of them on the aerial on the roof. I had 17 Woodpigeons in the garden this morning along with Blackbirds, Magpies and a couple of the Feral Pigeons, all was peaceful today and they all fed happily!

Guess who came in for breakfast? 21/02/2010

One minute I was counting the Woodpigeons as it was Sunday and the start of a new week of BTO garden species counts, I turned my back on the kitchen window for a few seconds, turned back to the window and the Woodies and all other species had gone!!! Well it soon became apparent for their sudden disappearance, a female Sparrowhawk had caught a Feral Pigeon!!! I noticed a few feathers drifting to the ground and then spied her at the bottom of the garden. The Pigeon was on it's back motionless with the Sparrowhawk standing on it and beginning to pluck the Pigeon. I wonder what killed the pigeon, shock or stunned unconsciousness as the Sparrowhawk swept in to take her prey and land swiftly to pin the pigeon to the ground. She fed for about an hour then grasped the pigeon with her talons and moved the pigeon closer to the fence, I guessed that she was hiding her prey to return to later, I was correct. She returned approximately three hours later and started to pluck the feathers from the chest of the pigeon, she had not touched this part of the pigeon earlier, I know this because I went to have a peek after she left earlier!! She again fed for about an hour and again moved the pigeon further along the fence. She flew to an apple tree, feathers dropping from her claws as she flew, she then proceeded to clean her beak on the branches of the tree. After a few minutes she was off again. I do not know whether she returned for a feed in the afternoon as I went out looking for a Tawny Owl that I knew was in a local(ish ) area, I may just as well have stayed at home as I had no luck with the Owl, I enjoyed a good walk though so all was not lost. The pigeon had disappeared on our return at teatime, I reckon the local Tom had half inched it as there were a few feathers either side of a gap in the fence!!!! I hope it's owners were pleased with their 'gift'!

Watching the Sparrowhawk for such lengths of time made me think of how hard this long cold winter has been for the wildlife. This powerful bird needed sustenance just as the smaller birds do. She was an amazing bird to watch, gruesome at times to see her pull the flesh off the pigeon but she needed the food, just as we all need it to stay alive!

To lighten the mood I have added a photo of the area walked around looking for the elusive tree that the Tawny Owl perches on! I will find it soon.....well I hope so before the Owl deserts the tree as Jackdaws use it to nest in!

Fisheries....20/02/2010

It was a beautiful sunny and frosty morning so what could be nicer I thought than a walk to get the day off to a good start! So off I set for the Fisheries! Driving along the lanes I did wonder if I had done the right thing! The road was a little hairy in places as the sides of the road where the water had drained from the fields and hedgerow was iced over, caution needed! The drive down the track to the Fisheries was not much better, potholes that had filled with water had frozen over and the sun that by now was shining brightly shone on the ice and it was as though a hall of mirrors were in front of me, quite blinding at times. After parking up I placed bird seed on top of a few fence posts and on the birdtable that was positioned by a hedgerow. Off I set and the first sightings were Magpies and two Canada Geese in a field adjoining one of the paddocks. Starlings flew to the top of a tree and on closer inspection I could see there were also three Redwings and two Mistle Thrush. Along the walk across the top of the hill above the Pools were Blue & Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Wren and Greenfinch in the shrubbery and trees! I spotted a Buzzard two fields away in a tree, it hawked the edge of the partly covered in snow and frosty field! I watched it do this three times and then it flew over the trees and I lost sight of it, no calling today, too cold. A Green Woodpecker flew to a tree and rested for a few seconds and then away it went. The sun by now was giving off a little warmth, either that or I had so much packing on I was warming up by walking! On returning to my car I scanned the paddocks, a mixed flock of Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush and Starling were feeding! I tried to do a headcount but they were moving pretty swiftly almost in unison, I gave up the counting and just enjoyed the view of them! The bird seed on the fence posts was being enjoyed by a charm of Goldfinches, lovely to see! I set off for home and at the end of the track I spotted a Kestrel, I reached for my camera and off it flew! I will get a photo of it one day as more often than not I see a Kestrel on the telegraph wires or hovering in this area. I can't wait to see the return of the Skylarks and Swallows in this area as for one thing it will be in warmer weather days..well hopefully warmer days!

A snowy garden...again!....19/02/2010

Snow again yesterday and overnight! This is turning into a long, drawn out, cold winter! I have seen enough snow and felt enough of the cold to last me a couple of winters and I am sure the wildlife would say the same if they could talk.lol! The wildlife must be feeling the strain now after such almost continous cold days and nights. The feed I am getting through at home is amazing, for the birds that is not me, though a few pastry pies and puddings have been digested by me! Well one has to keep a few fat reserves up to beat the chill! The female Blackcap has been in the garden for the best part of the day, feeding on the apples and the fatballls. Starlings raided the birdtables early in the morning along with the Blackbirds. Woodpigeon numbers are down the last few days surp[risingly, though I have still been having 8-10 in for their brekkie! Two Robins in the garden this afternoon and they appeared friendly, so maybe the beginnings of a friendship there. More snow and cold temperatures are forecast for the weekend and coming week, so no let up yet, winter still has it's grip. I am hoping to walk around the Fisheries in the morning, so it will be on with the thermals etc and one important item I must not forget, a bag of birdseed to scatter around!

Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest and Hurcott Nature Reserve....14/02/2010

Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest.
A sunny albeit a rather cold late morning/early afternoon was spent today at Dowles Brook in the Wyre Forest. The only problem here being parking spaces! The area is well used by cyclists, dog walkers, families and of course bird/nature watchers and as it is only a small car park spaces are at a premium. Today we were lucky as a space was being vacated as we arrived. Walking down the path that leads to the brook a Nuthatch was heard and then seen as it flew from tree to tree not resting for great views but lovely to see and hear. The area walking down to the brook was unusually quiet though Blue Tits soon made their presence known. We walked to an area where there is a small pool that had Mandarins on it last year, it was frozen solid. A couple of Coal Tits were busy foraging in the trees by the pool to be joined later by Blue Tits.
Walking back to the brook a Kingfisher was a pleasure to see as it flew very low down the length of the brook, sadly no Dipper today but plenty of time to catch up with it in the weeks ahead. Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal, Blue and Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Carrion Crow seen along the walk. Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer and House Sparrow were seen at Lodge Hill Farm where a feeding station is set up. I was particularly pleased to see the House Sparrows, amazingly my first of 2010! Hopefully they will have a good breeding season! Raven heard and Great Spotted Woodpecker heard 'drumming'.

A quick (in theory) visit to Hurcott Nature Reserve on the way home was very productive. Wren, Great, Blue and Coal Tit, Long-Tailed Tit (in abundance), Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Siskin, Jay, Treecreeper, Goldfinch, Robin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard and Jackdaw all seen along a very short walk on the reserve, after a two and a half hour walk earlier around Dowles Brook we were very pleased with these species seen in such a short space. Three Robins enjoyed seed we placed for them all along the length of the fence top by the seating area (well comfy bench). A local birdwatcher told us where Blackcaps nest in the vegetation and another gentleman pointed out a tree where Great spotted Woodpeckers nest, funnily enough behind a nest box for Tits. I think Hurcott will be a regular feature on my agenda come Spring/Summer.

All in all a good weather day, a good walk and with some delightful bird species thrown in for good measure!

Fisheries....13/02/2010

A walk around the whole perimeter of the Fisheries this morning was peaceful and pleasant. The highlight on the walk was a Buzzard 'mewing' as it perched in a tree, I watched it as it made it's way to to the other end of the field flying from tree to tree. I did not have close up views for a photo but good enough views for me to enjoy the sight of it and of course to hear the Buzzard. I love to see Buzzards, they seem to command such regal presence. High in a tall tree were a flock of 18+ Starlings with 8 Fieldfares, I was later to see possibly the same Starling flock with 6+ Redwings. It was a cold morning so I did not stay in one spot for too long, best to keep walking and keep the blood flowing to keep warm. Blue Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon and Magpie were other species seen this morning. A Moorhen pottered in the vegetation down by the pools and a few Mallards were on a patch of water on a pool that was not frozen. A couple of hours soon pass by just strolling, I really enjoy this walk.

She is back safe and sound!....13/02/2010

The female Blackcap I am referring to.
During the cold spell of early January when the Fieldfares descended on the garden she was chased off the apple tree that bears the apples and pears I spike on there. Well, she returned during the past two weeks and has enjoyed no doubt the peace and the fruit! I was so pleased to see that she had survived the freezing temperatures. She is such a delight to see. She arrived mid December (2009) with a male Blackcap as has happened in previous years, whether they are the same pair I do not know. The male visited a couple of times and then disappeared, this has been the norm in previous years. The male has returned once since the first visit with the female to my knowledge, one cannot view the garden all day long as much as I would like to, I wonder why this is and why they don't stay together? Perhaps he will return when they are ready to fly home for breeding!
I managed a photo of her yesterday when the sun shone for ten minutes!