Fieldfares

The fieldfares are now a constant chattering presence. They are feeding in the hedgerows and on the newly cleared scrubland where they are joined by a flock of about thirty chaffinches. I have seen them feeding on haws and rowan berries. Surprisingly perhaps, I have seen no sign as yet of any redwings.

Ring neck Parakeet first

For the first time since moving here, a ring neck parakeet flew over the garden . It was calling loudly and was unmistakable. I just wonder how long it will be before they are fully established in this area and what the consequences will be for the local starling population.

Owl Chorus

On a frosty evening walk, the number of tawny owls calling was quite staggering.I think I counted at least six different individuals. Not only that, but one bird flew down the lane and came quite close before veering away and flying over a rooftop. This signifies a very healthy population here on the edge f the North Downs, suggesting also a healthy vole population.

Woodcock and rutting stag

I was down in Wedge Wood today and besides seeing some unseasonal flowers, the highlight was seeing that woodcock have returned to the woods. Dylan (my dog) sped off into the woods at one point and returned at speed. Soon afterwards I could hear what sounded like a dog barking. As it seemed unlikely that anyone else was in the woods, I decided to investigate. With Dylan on a lead, I slowly made my way through the trees to be able to ascertain that the barking was coming from a stag.

Singing skylark

With the wind still blowing, I was surprised to hear a skylark singing on one of the lower fields. Others were flying around almost as if they were in courtship mode.

Large flocks

Whilst out today battling the strong winds, I first disturbed a flock, not a word a would normally use for these birds, of some twenty magpies. Shortly afterwards, walking over the brow of the hill to the large open fields that lie below the North Downs, I counted over a hundred crows feeding. These are exceptionally large numbers and I wonder if it was the weather conditions that had brought these birds together

Birds are singing again

Whether or not it is due to the unseasonably mild weather, or just simply that birds are over their moults, I have noticed bird song once again. Blackbirds, robins and song thrushes are beginning to regale us with their memorable notes. This comes as a very welcome contribution to the sounds of the countryside as winter waits around the corner.

Unexpected birds on Madiera

On my second visit to Madeira I did expect to see wild canaries as they are almost as common there as house sparrows once were in the UK. What I did not expect to see were waxbills. To see a flock of around thirty of these diminutive birds feeding on seeding grassedss was a real delight. They were clearly accustomed to humans and allowed me to approach to within just a few feet. I would identify them as red-eared or common waxbills. They certainly had the expected red ear stripe and some displayed a surprising amount of red down their breasts. I know that Madeira is off the coast of Africa but it would still be a prodigious achievement for such small birds to manage such a flight and so I wonder if they are from escaped cage birds or hitched a lift on a ship. I also saw the evening flight of a single ring necked parakeet, which suggests that escapees are not that unusual.