Sunday 30 December 2012

30-12-12.

After visiting nearby Croxall pits I popped into good old WH and there was avery strange thing in the sky.  Every now and again there was a harsh shower but this round thing was pretty persistant today!!!!!!  I did the usuall places and birds noted around the quarry entrance and small wood were Goldfinch, 81 Wigeon, Black Headed Gull, Magpie, Redwing, Blue Tit, 4 Tufted Duck, 150+ Lapwing, 300+ Golden Plover, Pied Wagtail, 8 Cormorant, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Tit, Robin, 10 Mute Swans (4 over and 6 more round the rest of the site), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Pheasant, 5 Stock Doves, 1 Goldcrest Woodpigeon, Chaffinch and Dunnock.
On to the rest of the site and I added 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Little Owl, 4+ Mistle Thrush, 1 Buzzard, couple of hundred Starlings, many Fieldfare and Redwing in the old pig field, Jackdaw, Yellowhammer, a smart male Bullfinch, Meadow Pipit, a single Tree Sparrow, 250+ Linnets in the old pig field, several House Sparrow at Sittles farm, Sparrowhawk, Wren and Carrion Crow.

Saturday 29 December 2012

29-12-12.

After getting an early visit trip to Tesco before dawn and with no rain, as soon as it was light enough to go birding it was also raining enough to get wet very quickly and I couldnt be bothered with that.  It was not until around lunchtime that the rain eased off so I set off, in hope rather than expectation, and it wasn't long until it was raining again so I birded mainly by car.  Birds noted were Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, 61 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 16 Tufted Duck, 2 Sparrowhawk, 400+ Lapwing either on the flooded field or roosting on the far side of the quarry pool, 40+ Pied Wagtail - there was the odd one around the pool but loads in the old pig field, Meadow Pipit, 9 Mute Swan, Moorhen, 1 Little Owl, Robin, Woodpigeon, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing, Starling, Canada Geese, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Buzzard and Chaffinch.
By now it was raining heavier so I decided to go home for a cup of tea however it did clear up later on so once again I popped down and had a final check over the pool and around the lanes and added 10 Redshank, Wren, 11 Teal, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Goldfinch, at least two Lesser Redpolls with the Goldfinch, and Blue and Great Tits.

Friday 28 December 2012

28-12-12

Todays forecast - rain.  Tomorrows forecast - rain.  Next days forecast - rain. Its getting a little bit tedious now.  Todays visit was delayed until the crappy rain had finally stopped and the first stop was by the quarry entrance.  In my very minimal experience afternoon birding at WH is not the most productive and today proved that.  Birds noted were 33 Wigeon, at least 600+ Lapwing, Carrion Crow, Black Headed Gull, 12 Tufted Duck, around 60 Golden Plover, Magpie, Woodpigeon, 2 Kestrel, 4 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, Starling, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wren, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher feeding in the ditches, Chaffinch and a couple of Pied Wagtail. 
Onto around the lanes and I could only add the following. 3 Mute Swan, 2 Little Owl, 1 Buzzard, a few Linnet, 60+ Fieldfare, 80+ Redwing, 9 Grey Partridge, around 8 Yellowhammer, Canada Geese and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Wednesday 26 December 2012

26-12-12

Well thats that over and done with for another twelve months!!!!!!!!  I was able to get out today due to the lack of alcohol in my blood system for the first time since the weekend.  The floods had again returned to WH with the roads blocked and at one point my known drinking associated was concerned his parents were not going to get an Xmas lunch although my swimming trunks were at the ready and we were prepared for everything however no need to worry because as we sat it the pub on Xmas Eve the water was receding and all was well in the end. 
On to the birding and it was a case of hanging about un til the rains came at lunchtime.  First stop was the quarry pool and surroundings and this turned out very productive.  As I arrived I could here the Wigeon doin what Wigeon do but I was struggling to see the birds on the pool due to the low and very bright sun.  The following counts are what I could make out and then there was proberbly about another 100 different wildfowl.  Birds noted were 102 Wigeon, Woodpigeon (over 1000 birds were present where the Mute Swans have been present plus many more around the site), Starling, Black Headed Gull, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, several Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Blackbird, 3 Lapwing to begin with before a large group turned up of 800 birds plus, 37 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 24 Tufted Duck, 5 Redshank, Magpie, 73 Teal, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Lesser Redpoll in a group of 60+ Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wren, 8 Cormorant, Great Tit, 20 Mute Swan, 200+ Golden Plover with the Lapwings, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, 6 Waxwings that were in the alders - a site tick for me as I missed the last few a couple of years ago to my MS and I was gutted but made up now, and finally a couple of Meadow Pipits present. 
Onto the lanes and I added several Skylark, 30+ Fieldfare, 1 Kestrel, Yellowhammer, 60+ Redwings, 1 Buzzard, Stock Dove, 7 Coot, 1 Little Owl, House Sparrow, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Pheasant, Dunnock and Carrion Crow.          
All in all not a bad few hours down the patch which included a site tick for life, Waxwing, and one for the year, Redpoll.  Bonus.

Wednesday 19 December 2012

19-12-12

With the weather forecasted to be pretty rubbish for most of the day and looking very overcast to start with I decided to head out first thing, check out near the quarry entrance before driving around the site to check out different areas and not get caught in the rain.  As it turned out we did not have too much but I had other things planned for the day.  Bloody forecasters!!!!!  Birds noted were 1 Grey Heron, 45 Wigeon, Black Headed Gulls, Goldfinch, 44 Cormorants all feeding on the pool, my most here by far, 5 Mallards, Great Tit, 13 Tufted Duck, Blue Tit, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 650+ Lapwings mostly over the far side of the workings and only seen when disturbed, Blackbird, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Chaffinch, 48 Golden Plover, 1 only Skylark, Robin, Woodpigeon, Starling, 2 Buzzards, 37 Fieldfare, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit, Pheasant, 1 Sparrowhawk, Magpie, 1 Kestrel, 2 Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush, Wren, House Sparrow, 4 Mute Swan and Carrion Crow.    

17-12-12

Things to do today but I was able to get in a visit to WH to see what was about.  I noted 1 Grey Heron, 4 Cormorant,  384 Lapwing, Long-tailed Tit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Tit, Woodpigeon, 33 Wigeon, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Tufted Duck, Reed Bunting, Black Headed Gull, Wren, 70+ Golden Plover, Dunnock, Robin, Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Starling, Blackbird, Pheasant, 4 Goldcrest, 8 Fieldfare, 52 Mute Swan (in several groups as still no sign of large flock), 40+ Skylarks feeding, Magpie, Linnet, Blue Tit, 1 Kestrel, 2 singing Corn Buntings, Redwing, Yellowhammer, 6 Mallards, at least 2 Bramblings in with a large Chaffinch flock feeding in the old pig field where the caravan is at the moment, 6 Collarded Doves over, 2 Little Owls, a few Tree Sparrows, Moorhen, House Sparrows near Sittles Farm, and a few Stock Doves around. 

16-12-12

First day of a very long holiday for me where, weather pemitting, I will be doing my fair share of local patchwork.  After checking out some local pits it was down to WH just before midday for a couple of hours.  Birds noted were 29 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 13 Mute Swan (due to a very load gas gun in the field the large flock were not present today), 3 Great Crested Grebe, Linnet, 8 Cormorant, Black Headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Magpie, Dunnock, Blackbird, Great Tit, 2 Grey Heron, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Moorhen, 30 plus Skylarks feeding, a few Tree Sparrows, 27 Stock Doves, Robin, Wren, Starling, 6 Mallards, 1 Little Egret, Chaffinch, 76 Lapwing, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, House Sparrow, a Merlin that was hunting over the fields, Redwing, Reed Bunting and 9 Golden Plover flew through.

12-12-12

It was a stunning morning at WH today, sunny but chilly and the birds did not dissapoint.  Birds noted were 56 Wigeon, many Lesser Black-backed Gulls streaming over, 51 Pochard, 6 Mallard, Carrion Crow, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Snipe, Woodpigeon, Linnet, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 27 Golden Plover, Redwing, Goldfinch, Robin, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Fieldfare, Cormorant, 60 Lapwing, 43 Skylark, a single Redshank, Long-tailed Tits, Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, Starling, Tree Sparrow, 1 Kestrel, Magpie, 1 Buzzard, 91 Mute Swan, Collared Dove, 30+ House Sparrows, Pheasants and a single Jay.

Thursday 13 December 2012

11-12-12

Just using up my last few holidays of the year with a couple of days off, three days at work then three weeks off.  Get in!!!  After visiting a local site first it was then a walk around WH.  The lake was partially frozen and there was about a hundred wildfowl on there but I didn't stop as the sunlight was right over the pool and I was popping down to the rough track to put out some bird food and do a bit of photography before checking out what was on the lake, bad mistake as the outdoor centre staff were walking around the pool as I arrived and had scarred everything off!!!!! Not one duck was seen after.  I parked up for about half an hour and took a few photos which didn't turn out to good but birds noted whilst there were Dunnock, Moorhen, 4 Grey Partridge, 5 Tree Sparrow, 7 Yellowhammer, a few Robins, Blackbird, Chaffinch, 30+ Golden Plover (another 40+ were seen later), Carrion Crow, 43 Skylark was my highest count throughout my visit, 2 Mistle Thrush and about 120 Lapwing with another 100 seen throughout the visit.  Onto the quarry entrance area and with nothing on the lake I did a bit of hedge and woodland bashing.  Birds noted were Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Linnet, Wren, 3+ Jay, several Redwing, and lots of Woodpigeon.  A walk around the rough track was next and I added 3 Mute Swan, several Fieldfare, Goldfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying towards the wood, 3 Ruff had now joined the Lapwing/Golden Plover flock, 150+ Starling were feeding on the ploughed surface, Stock Dove, Pied Wagtail, Buzzard, Black Headed Gull and a few Magpie.  The last thing to do was to count the Mute Swan flock further round the trackes and they totalled 115.  

Wednesday 5 December 2012

News

Just to let you know I have started putting photos under the photo tab.  As I do not know how to add new postings on the three tabs but not this one I will keep putting bird photos under each other so you will need to have a check every now and again in case I have put anything on.  I will also inform you on this tab if anything new is on.  The photos will not just be of birds around WH but anywhere.

Sunday 2 December 2012

2-12-12

Wow, what a morning it turned out to be, birding and weather wise.  If there was ever a weather I would like for the resty of my life then this mornings weather would do nicely, very cold frosty morning with a good sun.  Perfect.  The birding was not bad to with 50 species making it in to my little note book.
Birds noted around the site were Magpie, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, 105 Wigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, several hundred Woodpigeons, Starlings, 13 Teal, 28 Pochard, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, 300+ Lapwing, 150+ Golden Plover, Pheasant, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, 2 only Fieldfare, 3 Grey Heron, a few Redwing, Wren, Robin, 9 Grey Partridge, 110 Mute Swan, Stock Dove, Dunnock, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Tree Sparrow, Canada Geese, 1 Redshank calling whilst flying around the far pit, Meadow Pipits, Magpie, a cracking male Merlin hunting around the microlight field, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Kestrel, 11 Skylark, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Buzzards, 10 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 4 Cormorants, 3 House Sparrow, 1 Coot, Linnet, Song Thrush and a Collared Dove.  Fantastic.
Thats me done for a little while as I am workining all day Saturday and then fishing match on the Sunday with no days off until 14th December.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Aaaaargh

Help.  Does anybody that uses blogger know how to write posts in other tabs on the same blog?  Take my blog for example, I can happily produce posts under the first tab but I cannot write anything other than the first post in the other tabs.  If I click on away days, then click on new post, type something that then comes under the first tab, not where I want it.  I am not the smartest and I am sure I am missing something very obvious, I just can't bloddy see it!!!!  Any help would be fantastic.

1-12-12

Blimey, December already and it feels like it too.  Unfortunately my small break came to an end as I was back to work today for most of the day however I was able to get down to the old local an hour before sunset.  Birds noted on my small site visit were 22 Wigeon, 117 Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Black Headed Gull (quite a few during the visit buit as I left there must have been a 1000 gulls on the flooded field with most being BHG's), lots of Lesser Black-backed Gulls with well over 1000 and rising as they headed to roost, Pied Wagtail, 23 Tufted Duck, 400+ Lapwing (didn't have much chance to count as another birder showed some crap field skills as he got oit of his car and they all lifted a flew away), 500 Golden Plover (same problem as with Lapwing), Robin, Wren, Dunnock, a few Redwing, Linnet, Blackbird, 2 Redshank on the flooded field before flying off, Pheasant, Great Tit, Moorhen, 1 Little Owl, 12 Siskin, 18 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, Carrion Crow, Meadow Pipits, Magpie, Woodpigeon and 1 Mistle Thrush. 

30-11-12

Another nice cool day but a bit overcast.  After a start at a local reserve I was at WH a bit later than usual and proceeded to cover as much as the site as I could. Birds noted - Black Headed Gull, Blackbird, 155 Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Wren, easily 1000+ Lapwing along with 500+ Golden Plover on the flooded field opposite the large building (Whitemoor Haye house- that name took some thinking!!!!!!), over 100 hundred Starling, Robin, a few Reed Bunting, several small flocks of Goldfinch, Linnet and Meadow Pipits, 3 Tree Sparrow, 12 Redwing, 3 Wigeon, 91 Mute Swan, Bullfinch, 2 Blackcap, a single Siskin, Dunnock, Great Tit, 1 Treecreeper, Blue Tit, Magpie, 1 Dunlin on the flooded field, Yellowhammer, Cormorant, 30+ Skylarks, 5 Stock Doves, Canada Geese, 30+ Mallard, 10+ Tufted Duck, 20+ Teal, 6+ Shoveler, a few House Sparrows by Sittles farm entrance, Carrion Crow, Pheasants, Woodpigeon and Pied Wagtail.

29-11-12

What a gorgeous morning and the birding was not bad either.  Nothing special but just a great day to be out.  Birds noted. 
32+ Fieldfare, 6+ Redwing, Pied Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Starling, Black Headed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, Moorhen, Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunting, Wren, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, 1000+ mix of Golden Plover and Lapwing (majority being Lapwing), Canada Geese, 68 Mute Swan, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Pheasant, Chaffinch, Magpie, 3 Tree Sparrow, 12 Teal, 77 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, Robin, 1 Kingfisher, 56+ Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, 1 Kestrel, Linnets, Blue Tit, 3 Stock Dove, 24 House Sparrow, 1 Shelduck and a few Yellowhammers.

28-11-12

Well its been a while since I have been able to get to the patch for a bit of birding due to work and fishing matches etc.  I have finally got a few days off and something else nearly put pay to a visit, water.  Bloody loads of it too.  WH was almost cut off due to floods that were too deep to drive through at the arboretum entrance and most of the other lanes under water but fortunately the rains stopped and the water levels started to fall by today.  I managed to reach the lakes and had a good look before driving around the lanes and checking out various places.  Birds noted were Carrion Crow, Magpie, 2 Kestrel, lots of Black Headed Gulls, 62 Mute Swan, Wren, 7 Mallard, 8 Linnet, a few Tree Sparrows, 1 Grey Heron, circa 100 Starling, 1 Fieldfare heard, several Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Dunnock, 39+ Lapwing, 3 Redwing, Robin, Cormorant, Greenfinch, Pheasant, Chaffinch, several Meadow Pipits, Woodpigeon, a few Skylarks, Blue Tit, 1 Grey Partridge calling, Yellowhammer and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.