Christmas Eve Birds

Walked to the Coldrum Stones as dusk was setting. There was a massive flock of mixed crows in and above the fields opposite. Mainly jackdaws, there were also crows and a I could detect a few rooks from their calls. Although there is a large rookery just a couple of miles away, this is the first time I have seen these birds around the village.
What does surprise me about these birds is their persistence in taking the opportunity to feed until the last possible moment. Even with the light rapidly fading, there remained some birds upon the stubble.

Singing Greenfinches

Dawn broke clear and bright this morning, this first day of the rising sun. To my astonishment, from the garden, I could hear a cock greenfinch in full throated song announcing his rights to hold that territory. I would not normally expect to hear this song for at least a couple of months, so this was a truly early pleasant surprise.
Lots of thrushes feeding on various berries, including fieldfare, redwing and mistle thrush.

Farming Practises and Winter Birds

Last winter the fields around the house had been planted with spring wheat. Very few birds could be seen feeding on these fields. In contrast, with the fields left as stubble, there are now always birds of some sort to be seen upon them. This morning I came across a small mixed flock with yellow hammer, greenfinches, chaffinches and redwings. In addition I have frequently seen a covey of french partridge and crows and magpies are often seen. Skylarks are also still in the area,somehting I did not witness at all last winter.
I also happened upon a flock of siskins in a garden tree, a first for this area.

Berthelot's Pipit and Wild Canaries

Spent much of Thursday on the peninsular at the eastern tip of Madeira (Sao Laurenco). The ridge was full of flowers and finally saw a Berthelot's pipit. A very obliging individual picking off small insects within just a few feet of the path.
Having seen and heard lots of canaries during the week, I was not at first at all surprised to hear them singing whilst walking along, even though there are few trees on the peninsula. What I did not expect was to see a flock of several hundred of the birds. They were quite a sight as they rose and swirled from one patch of grassland to another. Although there was a covering of a rape like flower, these were not seeding and so what the canaries were feeding upon remains a mystery. Great to see them in such numbers.

Pilot Whales and Dolphins off Madeira

Went on a catamaran yesterday and following an hour´s sail towards the Desertas Islands, eventually saw a pod of six female pilot whales. This was followed by the sighting from a greater distance of a larger male of the species. On the way back to port (Funchal) we then saw some more pilot whales accompanied by some dolphins. Sitting at the prow of the catamaran, I was able to watch the dolphins swimming below the surface just a few feet from me.
Great experience!

Tame Madeiran Goldfinches

On the island of Madeira again enjoying the winter sunshine. >Observed a flock of about twelve goldfinches feeding on the seeds of a tree in the hotel grounds. These birds were approachable to within just a few feet; quite indifferent to my presence. The next day saw a small flock of canaries feeding on the seeds that had fallen to the ground following the attention of the goldfinches.

Redwings

Last winter, the area around the house was full of fieldfares but no redwings seemed to settle here although numbers of them were seen and heard over-flying. This morning I counted twenty five individuals in the field at the back of the house. There are still plenty of berries on the hawthorn hedge, but these birds were taking advantage of the mild weather to forage for insects on the grass.
Other birds that appear to be around in much greater nu,bers this winter include jays and nuthatches. These of course, are not winter migrants and so their increased numbers may be due to the good summer we experienced.

Where are all the Birds?

Despite having an extended period of hard frosts, there have been few birds coming into the garden. I have six bird feeders well stocked with suitable food and positioned where I think there is sufficient cover for the birds to feel secure, yet I am only seeing the odd blue or great tit appearing. There are other birds around, such as robin, wren, hedge accentor, collared dove, magpie, pheasant, but these are not the birds you will generally get on the feeders.
I can only conjecture that the mild autumn has meant that there are still sufficient supplies of insects to keep many birds within the hedgerows and woodlands without a need to venture into the garden. I had hoped to entice woodpeckers and nuthatches, etc, but so far, I have only seen them fly over.

Wedge Wood

I was down at my wood today being  a beautiful frosty day. My latrine is a wooden structure but the door is open to the elements, facing down the wood. I sat there and watched three hen peasants pick their way through the brambles, some twenty yards from me. Then something larger appeared and two fallow hinds followed behind the pheasants. Both animals were very dark coloured, almost black, which might be a colour mutation, but also partly due to their having winter coats. My latrine makes for an excellent animal hide.

Jackdaws

When I lived in Mid-Wales the end of each day would be tolled by the passing flock of jackdaws. Calling as they went towards their roost site, they foretold the onset of night. Here, on the edge of the North Downs, I rarely see or hear a daw. But on a recent day of high winds, the stubble field behind the house, where there was shelter from the cold gusts, a flock of sevral hundred birds appeared as if from nowhere. Rising, swirling and constantly calling, they were quite a spectacle. Whether or not they dispersed or moved on as a flock, I cannot tell, but I am left once again, with just the occasional distinctive call of the daw.

The Writer

The Writer

I love to luxuriate in a book.

There is something good

And wholesome to look

Within a soul. I could

Imagine myself in that world

Where reality is formed.

As I sit and read curled

Within a chair turned

To the fire, I know that

I have a friend, a cell

Companion. Not the cat

For he has no story to tell.

Yet this cosy sense of being;

This relationship with fiction

Turns sour whenever

I seek to write a novel

Of my own. Then the book becomes

An enemy to be defeated at all costs,

A time consuming demon,

Taunting me night and day.

Haunting my waking dreams

And forever weakening my resolve

And questioning, always questioning.

Dave Urmston 2016

Singing Skylark

A mild day yesterday and a

walk along the banks of the River Medway. Nothing much to see river-wise, but there was a skylark singing on one of the adjoining fields.
A green woodpecker was foraging on the lawn, a first sighting for the garden, though they are plentiful in the area.

Different Bird Strategies

Most days, there is a covey of french partridge (about nine birds) in one corner of the stubble field in front of the house. Yesterday there were three cock pheasants gleaning amongst them. Upon seeing my dog (Dylan) the pheasants took fright and ran for cover, the partridges froze and squatted hoping their camouflage would be sufficient protection. It is not uncommon for pheasants to adopt the same strategy but there was stark contrast between the behaviour of the different species in this instance.

Black Mountain

The Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons can be a bleak place at the best of times but with heavy rain and gusting wind, it becomes very inhospitable. That was the case yesterday. Birdlife on the hill was virtually non-existent, so that not a single meadow pipit or skylark was to be seen. However, a kestrel was braving the elements as it flew by at high speed. Then unexpectedly, a red kite appeared. Although these birds are now commonly seen above many of our motorways, it remains a thrill to see one in its natural environment amongst the mountains.

Birds Singing

Over the last weeks, the only vocalist in the birdworld of any musical merit has been the robin. Yesterday, on a bright sunny day, I heard a mistle thrush sing. These birds are noted for their early breeding, so, I expect that this bird was beginning to establish its breeding territory. Rather more surprisingly, I also heard a cock linnet with a very tuneful song.

What with the sun shining and everything, rather than being the start of winter, it felt more like the beginning of spring.

Snipe

In the distance, across the fields of stubble, five crows were making their presence known by raucous calls. My binoculars revealed a group of six magpies grouped amongst them. They took a long time to disperse as I approached, and I guessed that they must be upon some carrion.
I was not wrong in my surmise, but was surprised to see a small snipe on the ground.
This was the first time I had been able to appreciate the true beauty of a snipe. The first thing I saw was a flurry of feathers and assumed this was a dead cock pheasant. There was no evidence of cause of death and the corvids attentions had been only on the gizzard, the mottled browns and reds of the bird's plumage were therefore in perfect order. With open eyes, the snipe looked for all the world as if it could fly up and spiral away from me, but sadly, that would not happen.
I was left bewildered by the fact that people could shoot for sport such a magnificent bird that offered nothing in the way of food.

Pied Wagtails

Spent the late afternoon on the golf course. A flock of about twenty pied wagtails were feeding on some flying insects invisible to my eye. These birds are known to roost together for warmth and sometimes to occupy buildings or trees with electric lights which give off some extra heat. These particular birds would be unlikely, given their location, to be able to benefit from such a luxury. With a sharp frost forecast for tonight the late feed would hopefully have given them sufficient resistance.
Other birds feeding late were fieldfares and mistle thrushes which appeared to be making the most of the ample rowan berry crop.

Roosting Skylarks

As the cold weather begins to bite, I cannot help wondering how ground roosting birds cope with the cold. There are still plenty of skylarks feeding on the stubble and as they are here late into the day, it seems clear that they roost in situ. I have seen flocks of twenty or more. I presume that they group together to benefit from the body heat generated by each individual bird. But, do they then, as some other roosting birds have been seen to do, move around so that the birds on the outside of the group get a turn within the heated space?
In the distant past, this roosting behaviour was what led to their downfall. For, when the birds were commonly kept as cage birds, the trappers would drag a net across an open field during the hours of darkness. No doubt they first observed the birds to see where they roosted. On hearing the weighted back of the net scrape along the ground, the birds would rise into the air and get caught. As they roosted in groups, quite a number of birds could be caught in a single drag.
It is interesting to note how disputational the skylarks can be. Fiercely territorial during the breeding season, you might anticipate that they would become placid in the winter, but in their loose flocks , they seem to be forever involved in minor skirmishes with other birds.

First frost

Woke to the first frost of the winter. It was only a light touch on the grass and soon disappeared with the rising sun. I have still dahlias in flower and tomatoes in the polytunnel.
I sat and watched the gulls heading presumably to the Thames estuary for the night. There are hundreds pass each way on a daily basis. The mystery is where they spend the day. Their's is usually a silent and ghostly passage, especially when the gloom of evening sets in.

Canoeing the Wye

A two and a half hour trip down the River Wye this morning. We saw at least eight kingfishers. Each seemed to be holding a territory of about half a mile. I suspect that many of these birds were the dispersed young from this year's successful breeding. I have never seen anything like so many kingfishers in one day before today.There were also numerous swans and canada geese. Amongst the birds that flew across the river were grey wagtails and pheasants.
Saw a very large barbel being landed by an angler and another large fish leapt from the river in front of my boat.

Several bats were flying this evening both above the river and in the adjoining woodland. Their flights were witnessed with an accompanying chorus from the several tawny owls.

Why so many Fieldfares?

Up this morning to see the rising sun as the mist hung upon the North Downs. The blue skies were full of eastward bound airplanes and birds. The ubiquitous wood pigeon, and squadrons of starlings were interspersed with the usual westward daily migration of gulls AND hundreds of fieldfares. I cannot recall seeing so many of these winter migrants so early in the year. It begs the question  what weather our scandinavian neighbours are currently experiencing, or, was there a poor berry harvest in that part of the world?

Covey of Partridges

The stubble fields here around have been swamped recently by released pheasants. An early morning walk and you cannot fail to see fifty plus. Sometimes I can see more than that in just one field. So, it was a pleasant surprise this morning to see a covey of partridges feeding on one of the fields. There were about a dozen birds in close proximity, skulking their way over the stubble.
These were the french or red-legged partridge which suggests that they have been captive reared and released for the shooting fraternity. Nevertheless, they are nice birds to see.

Chiffchaff/Willow Warbler

There are still some remnants of our summer visitors and yesterday I saw two warblers, their exact identity unknown as there was no call or song to give them away. The nights are getting cooler and I doubt whether I shall see many more of these migrant birds until next spring.

Singing Skylark on stubble and Swallows at Woolmer

There are still lots of skylarks feeding amongst the stubble. This morning, the first one that could be truly considered autumnal, the sun broke through the mist and a single bird from the flock began to sing. I could see no sign of a bird hovering in the air and so can only surmise that it was singing whilst on the ground.

Yesterday, saw swallows flying around Woolmer Castle, near Deal on the south coast.

Fieldfares and Swallows Overlap

There are still a few swallows flying the skies around here, although the much cooler mornings must be a test for them Yesterday I saw a small flock of thrushes in the distance that looked like they could have been fieldfares. This morning I saw the same but also heard their distinctive calls. So, there is an overlap between the summer visitors and the over-wintering migrants.
I also saw a male blackcap this morning which could either have been a late-leaving summer resident or a visitor from northern areas.

Stubble comes alive

The farmer has not as yet reached the fields in front of the house, so they remain stubble. As Dylan (the dog) ran over the fields yesterday, he set up a host of skylarks (I estimate at least one hundred individuals). Then came a flock of around thirty linnets, a smattering of meadow pipits their distinctive piping notes giving away their presence. Later a small group of yellowhammers joined the whirling mass of birds. Only once previously have I witnessed such an accumulation of birds on the stubble. Of course, the usual wing clapping of dozens of wood pigeons and the chattering of magpies accompanied the other birds.

Skylarks feeding on caterpillars

The skylarks departed a few weeks ago from the fields around the house, however, they have returned in numbers (around 30). They are particularly flocking on a field that has been seeded with what appears to be charlock. I can't be certain as the plants have been virtually stripped of all their leaves by caterpillars. Interestingly, the farmer has had soil tests done on this land as it did not crop at all well last year, I suspect therefore that this was a green manure with nitrogen fixing properties. Whatever the case, the plants have not been sprayed with insecticide and so the caterpillars have flourished. From what I could see, the skylarks have been feasting on this late season source of food. A few meadow pipits have also appeared to take advantage.

Peak District

Three days in the Peak and not very much to report in terms of birdlife. There was a pair of goosander on Kinder Reservoir and a single red grouse to be seen on the moor. Apart from that there were numerous meadow pippits.
Most noticeable by their absence were swallows. The previous week in both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales I had seen these birds still very much in evidence, whilst back in Kent they were still very prevalent, so it begs the question: Why no swallow in the Peak District?

Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire Dales – Staying in the small village of Bellerby. A walk up the country lane leading from the cottage revealed a hare running across a field. Later that day, on returning, a hare ran down the lane ahead of the car. Curlews provided an evening chorus, whilst the morning flight revealed a flock of nine of these birds. Red grouse could be heard calling from the nearby moorland, and a bird was seen raising its head above the heather. Fifteen geese flew overhead.

Dippers again at Aysgarth Falls and at Malham. A charm of goldfinches were seen feeding on thistles near Kilnsley.

Lake District 2

Eskdale -  The overwhelming majority of birds of the corvid family in these parts are jackdaws. Their calls and their spiralling flight displays are all around. In the hills I have also seen ravens and crows. Early one morning I counted one side of a perfect arrow, a skein of fifty geese. They were flying too high for identification. I wonder if they are early winter arrivals.

Tarn Hows – A beautiful morning showed the small lake at its beautiful best. A very tame dipper allowed for some close-up photographs. Later as I completed the walk around the lake, a pair of goosander appeared on the water. Their russet heads very distinctive against the blue waters, they dived again and again searching for fish.

Lake District

It is wet here in the Lake District. The becks and ghylls are flowing strongly with torrents forming small waterfalls. The birds are largely in hiding though I have seen several buzzards and ravens and a startled whinchat which I would have expected to have departed by now for warmer climes.
The vegetation its still suggestive of summer though the flowering rhododendrons I have witnessed are more reminiscent of spring.

Kestrel Hunting Tactic

The heatwave has passed and we have been thrown into a period of cool wet weather. The swallows are massing (approximately one hundred over the Downs this morning). Warblers are passing through the garden on migration.
Yesterday I saw a bird of prey sweeping across the stubble field. It was flying low and fast and I was intrigued as to its identity. What happened next was that it abruptly halted its flight, rose in the air about two meters and hovered. Before it could drop onto its prey, it was easily possible to identify it as a kestrel. I have never previously observed a kestrel employing a tactic, which, if over a hedgerow, would be more akin to the hunting behaviour of a sparrow hawk.

Robin Relief

The ever reliable robin is the only bird to be heard singing at the moment. Many birds have been moulting and this has led to their silence. Many birds, such as the neighbourhood skylarks have moved away completely, whilst the warblers can only be seen skulking deep in the undergrowth. But, the robin has begun singing again. These are of course, very territorial birds, but why should they be particularly concerned with territory at this time of year? There is also evidence that many robins migrate to our warmer climes in the winter so are these new arrivals?
Lots of questions, but not so  many answers I am afraid.

North Downs blue flora

The Downs have changed colour. Following the spring and early summer predominantly pink and yellow flowers, we now have a predominance of scabious, devils' bit scabious and knapweed. The first two seem to grow in absolute harmony with both species mixed in blocks of colour.

Selective Feeding - Goldfinches & Bullfinches

Each morning as I walk down the lane I witness two flocks of birds, each feeding on different wild foods. To my right is a field with thistles attracting a flock of about a dozen goldfinches and to my left is a field with sowthistle with a family group of five or six bullfinches. Each flock offers a colourful start to the day.

Harvest

The combine harvesters have been denuding the fields of wheat and barley. Masses of birds, mainly wood pigeons and members of the crow family have descended to feast on the spilt kernels. The skylarks have finished breeding but are still present on the fields though they have tended to congregate on the lower levels. There have been some immature greenfinches flying around in pursuit of their parents which means there was a quite late brood. Otherwise, moulting birds are very much in hiding few are to be seen around the hedgerows.

Opportunistic Magpie

Our local magpies are no less opportunistic in their behaviour than any others. A family of them appears every time I go to feed the chickens, knowing that I am likely to spill some grain. But I was surprised to see a bird pulling a thistle head apart. Standing on a fence post to reach the seeding plants, this bird was busily engaged in extracting something from the seed heads. I can only surmise that this bird was not feeding on the seeds on offer but that it was searching for the insects hiding within, most likely earwigs.

The wild flowers are currently in profuse array. The road verges have pyramidal orchids whilst the Downs are ablaze with bird's foot trefoil. Although each flower is quite small the collective spread of yellow is overpowering. The viper's bugloss provides a stark contrast with their spikes of vivid blue flowers. Then there's the pink of the mallow and valerian.
There are several other flowers that I am finding hard to identify, some are very small but when seen close up are very intricate of flowers, their diminutive nature hiding rare beauty.

Skylark exception

As the weather becomes warmer, the fruit swells and I am now harvesting raspberries by the pound. The landscape changes colour as the wheat begins to ripen and the late to be cut meadows lose their intense green, AND the birds tend to stop singing. The robins in my garden have lost their colour as the moult begins to take effect; blackbirds and thrushes skulk amongst the dense hedgerows hiding from predators as their flying powers are diminished. The only real exception is the skylark, many of which are continuing to soar high above the fields filling the air with their song.

2 Bats

I suspect either a Natterer or a Noctule flew overhead on the Downs last evening. This large bat was in sharp contrast to the Pipistrelle that then buzzed my head as I walked home along the lane.

North Downs Hobby

A warm evening (the first for some time) brought out the May Bugs and with them came a hobby. I was treated to a magnificent aerial display from this single bird as it swooped and glided in pursuit of these large flying insects.
A kestrel attempted to join the feasting, but this, usually graceful flier, looked to be positively clumsy in comparison to the swift-like performance of the hobby.

The very wet weather has undoubtedly had an adverse effect on breeding birds in the area. Nonetheless, with close observation, it is possible to see fledglings being fed, usually hidden though they are in deep foliage. In my garden, a family of young wrens have recently emerged from their well-camouflaged nest amongst the ivy and their parents are constantly going backwards and forwards with food. Five young magpies are similarly being supplied with morsels scavenged by their parents, though their presence is rather less subtle. The risk is of course, that the young wrens and their ilk will become food for the magpies.

There have been at least two broods of fox cubs playing in the church carpark, but these have recently disappeared and I suspect that their mothers have transferred them to an area with more cover. A pity as their playful antics were a sight to behold.

Dartmoor

Just returned from Dartmoor, where skylarks abounded. The most striking bird to be seen however was the stonechat, with numerous paris noticeable wherever there was a significant stretch of gorse. A pair of wheatears were protective of their territory, and probably had youngsters to feed. The only birds of prey to be seen were buzzards and kestrels, though these were augmented by a healthy population of ravens.

Lost Blackbird Chicks

There are all manner of birds feeding young at the moment, but particularly noticeable has been a pair of blackbirds. With the wet weather we have been having, these birds have found little difficulty in finding lots of worms and could be seen almost constantly with beaks full of them. I was puzzled as to the location of the nest, but followed the hen bird up the side of the house and when she flew out of the wood store, the nest soon became apparent. However, there was very little cover for the nest and I was amazed that it had survived about three weeks without being detected by predators. Without disturbing the nest at all, I withdrew and soon discovered that it was observable from the dining room window. I planned to set up a camera the next day.
That evening, upon letting our dog into the garden in the late evening, he went wild, chasing around with his nose to the ground. That can only mean one thing: fox. The next morning the blackbird nest was empty! The chicks were a week short of fledging.

Fast Learning Goldfinches

I was surprised today to see some greypate goldfinches feeding at the niger seed feeder in my garden. The parents have been coming regularly for the past few weeks, but this was the first time I had seen the youngsters. Unless they had secreted themselves away in the bushes whilst observing their parents feed, they must have very quickly learnt the food potential of this plastic tube.
At one stage there were four adults present and so it seems that more than one pair has bred locally which is good news.

Sand Martins

There are several sand martins flighting low over the wheat fields at the back of the house. The nearest sand quarry is about a mile away and as there are plenty of fields between there and here, it is somewhat surprising to find them. At a higher level numerous swifts are also feeding on their aerial prey. The swallows appear to be confining themselves to the wheat fields at the front of the house so, there seems to be some sort of demarcation taking place here.

Local Cuckoo

Heard a cuckoo this morning in the Trosley Country Park. Called almost continuously fr about twenty minutes then went silent. I may have seen as I glimpsed a hawk like birds slipping between some trees. I presume this to be a male bird moving around in search of a mate. The current cool weather will not be suiting it, though there are plenty of nesting small birds as potential hosts.

Deceptive Raptors

Seeing a bird drop from a tree like a collapsed shroud, I suspected a little owl hunting the long grass. However a kestrel emerged carrying a vole in its talons. Later the same day, looked out of the front window to see a bird hovering. It did not display the slim poise of a kestrel and indeed turned out to be a little owl!

Encounter with a Badger

Out walking Dylan (my dog) this evening and I was distracted by a bat flying very close to my face and so did not notice that Dylan had disappeared. Then saw him running through the wheat field apparently chasing something. He then stopped and growled. Soon afterwards a large badger ran across my path and up to its sett. Dylan did not follow close behind which suggests that the badger made him have second thoughts.

Local Nightingale

Having made the relatively short journey to Leybourne Lakes to hear nightingales (five singing), I returned home only to discover a male singing just a few hundred yards from my home. Resident amongst scrub on a piece of land adjoining the Pilgrims Way.

Black Mountains' Cuckoos

Had a great few hours on the Black Mountains the other day. I am sure that I heard two separate cuckoos and besides that saw and heard a plethora of other birds including redstarts, tree pipits, willow warblers, chiff chaff and meadow pipits.

Was surprised to see only one skylark and nothing in the way of whichat or stonechat. This is an area where merlins are known to breed and so this may be a reason, though the many pipits carrying food to young suggested otherwise.

Nightingale Bliss

Sitting on a bench at Leybourne Lakes watching geese shepherding their goslings whilst listening to a nightingale hidden in a nearby thicket. On a warm May evening,can there be any preferable activity?
Whilst sitting there, a doe rabbit ran across the footpath, spent several minutes gathering fresh grass and other herbage in its mouth before returning to its burrow. Clearly this was an animal intent on making a nest that would hold its babies.
Whitethroats, sedge and reed warblers, can also be heard around the lakes, but the nightingale outshines them all.

Missing Birds

The first thing I noticed was the absence of the yellowhammers from their usual haunts. There has also been a significant reduction in the number of greenfinches around and other finches, such as linnet.
Then I saw a male sparrowhawk hedge hopping through the gardens. The next day a female hawk briefly hovered overhead as I sat in my garden. These hawks must have young for them both to be hunting at the same time. This seems somewhat early as they usually try to time their hatching with the emergence from the nest of young prey.
The birds of prey appear to be doing well, but the hedgerow birds are sadly diminished as a consequence.

Flocking Linnets

Although most birds appear now to be paired up and beginning nesting operations, the linnets in this area are still flocking to roost. The other evening there were up to sixty birds gathering to roost in a local hedgerow. This was clearly a coming together of more than one flock, as previously the number had been around twenty birds.

Pairs and individuals can be seen feeding in the garden during the day, and pairs have been observed around their usual nesting haunts, but these gatherings are unexpected. The recent cold spell (some snow and hail today), could well have delayed the breeding activities of some birds, and it may be that the flocking activity is an attempt to find sufficient warmth for the birds during nights which have reached freezing point.

Native Floral Display

Whether or not it has been due to the mild winter is difficult to ascertain, but in this part of Kent, there has been a plethora of wild flowers. In particular, the primrose has been exceptionally successful and it is now being followed by its close cousin the cowslip. Masses of bluebells have now emerged providing a magnificent display. Also in the woods, anemones are provided a white carpet of flowers, whilst amongst them can be found violets, stitchwort and wood sorrel.

Whitethroat

Following the sighting yesterday of swallows for the first time this spring, today, some whitethroats could be heard singing at their usual haunts. As I have not been for a number of days to the areas of thicket where these birds breed, it is possible that they have been here before today, though they have certainly arrived after the blackcaps chiffchaffs which have been established on their territories for a week or more.

First Swallow

Saw first one then three swallows this morning. They were flying close to their traditional nesting site so, hopefully these are staying and not just passing through.
It is interesting to see how birds appear to return year after year to the same places. By that I mean, not just to the same area but very close to the same nest site. Recently, I have observed yellow hammer, chaffinch, greenfinch, linnet, and blackcap all singing from the very same perch where I saw them last year (not all; on the same perch of course).

Grey Partridge

A pair of grey partridge was set up by my dog this morning. I have lived at this location in Kent for almost a year, and this is my first sighting of these lovely birds. Previously, I have seen some french partridge which were no doubt released on the neighbouring shooting estate.
It is many years (back when I lived in Wales), since I last heard the distinctive call of the partridge and I can only hope that this pair settle here to breed and I once again, shall be able to to here the male bird confirming his territory on long hot summer evenings.
Interestingly, there appear to be far more pheasant that have escaped the gun than is usually the case and the cocks can be regularly seen displaying to hen birds. There could well be a many young birds to repopulate the area from the wild come the autumn.

Brecon Beacons

It is said that the skylark is a threatened species in the UK. Having spent the last three days hill-walking in the Brecon Beacons, I am able to confirm that this remains a major stronghold for the bird. Not only is it numerous, but the density of nesting birds is very high, probably at four or five pairs per acre.
In addition, there were many pairs of meadow pipit, and wheatears. The latter would only have been back on their territories for a week or two but I must have seen at least half a dozen pairs just on one day. Ravens, carrion crows, and buzzards were also in evidence. Though seeing red kites in their natural environment, high in the mountains, was a real bonus.

Stoat

Had a surprise visitor to the garden this morning. From the breakfast table was able to watch as the stoat crossed backwards and forwards across the garden in its usual frenetic manner. Further investigation showed that it had been attempting to gain entry to the chicken run.
There are a large number of rabbits around at the moment so a stoat should have no difficulty finding sufficient food in the wild.

Two new sightngs

On a lovely spring morning, I saw two species not previously observed in this area. Firstly, a pair of siskins visited a feeder in the garden, and then, whilst out walking the dog, a pair of willow tits made their presence known.

Nesting Frenzy

I now have four species of bird actively nest building in the garden:  Blackbird; robin; hedge accentor; and, blue tit.

Storm Katie

Having had twelve leylandii cut down last year, it was disappointing to awake this morning and discover that the one tall fir tree I deliberately left standing is standing at a 45 degree angle and shall have to be felled.

Headed eastwards on my morning walk to stay largely in the lee of the hill and out of the wind. Saw a long tailed tit emerge from a hedgerow and went to investigate the site. What was interesting was that within the hedge was the remains of an old nest of this species. It leaves me wondering whether this is a bird returning to the place where it built its nest last spring.

There are a few bluebells out on the edge of the wood, which comes as no surprise given all the early flowering plants this year.

Good Friday Chiffchaff

The first spring migrant could be heard singing in the trees at Manor Park, West Malling, on Good Friday. Unfortunately the weather has seriously deteriorated since and any other migrants may well have delayed their crossing to the UK.

Harassed Buzzard

Sat eating breakfast this morning watching a buzzard being mobbed by a pair of crows. It seems clear that the buzzards are about to nest for a second time in this area which is great news.
There are always plenty of crows around and so the buzzards are unlikely to have a peaceful time of it.

Fieldfare Roost

The small copse behind the house has become a roost for the local migrant population of fieldfares. It is difficult to count the occupants, but I would estimate that there are upwards of fifty individual birds. What is strange about this is that the birds are not often to be seen in the neighbourhood during daylight hours.
It is quite something to see the birds arriving, usually in two's or three's, they appear as if from nowhere and suddenly drop vertically from the sky. Occasionally they have been disturbed and will rise in small groups and fly around before returning. I presume that it is the local tawny owls causing this apprehension amongst the thrushes. They depart the roost at first light and often unseen.

Black Mountains

Three days spent in the Black Mountains revealed that red kites have truly colonised this area. In addition, there were numerous buzzards to be seen and a goshawk flying below the Grwyne Fawr reservoir. The only other bird of note spotted was a stonechat perched typically on a clump of gorse. I thought it surprisingly early for this bird to be on its territory. There was no evidence of whinchat as yet.
The attempts to impact upon the wetland area around Waun Fach is somewhat worrying. The area often used by nesting golden plover is currently covers by large white builders' sacks and piles of timber. It seems unlikely that the work will be complete in time for the breeding season. What a loss that would be if these beautiful birds were driven off the hills here.

Nest building Magpies

Saw a magpie carrying large sticks today. They are nesting in the tall hedge beyond the garden boundary. This is no particularly early for them in this area.
There are at least three pairs of skylark establishing territories on the fields in front of the house. I have also seen small groups of yellow hammers feeding on the fields and they traditional nest deep in the hedgerows here.

First Skylark

Following the frostiest start of the winter, the sun came out and the white world was enhanced by the song of a skylark. This was the first time this year that I have heard a skylark singing above the fields in front of the house. It was a real thrill to hear the sound of summer on such a cold day. It is also food to know that the skylarks will be nesting within the wheat fields surrounding us.

Greenfinch territorial display

Although greenfinches have been calling with their long nasal note for some weeks now, I did not expect to see as yet, the territorial display with its distinctive call note. This really does suggest that the birds are becoming serious about breeding even though there is no cover whatsoever in the tall hedges that usually provide them with nest sites. The mild weather is clearly inducing them to breed but I fear that the consequences will be disastrous as their nests will be totally open to predation particularly by the numerous magpies that inhabit the area.

Harbinger of Spring

Heard a chaffinch singing this morning on the Downs. This is the first one to sing in this area this year and for me it is always the harbinger of spring. It was not singing its full song though it was surprisingly close to a full song for this time of year. We now have a morning chorus of robin, song thrush, greenfinch and chaffinch.

Redwings and dead Bustard

I spent Sunday morning travelling to and from Somerset (West country). Speaking to a friend down there, he pointed out a flock of redwings and stated that he had not seen a fieldfare this year. What is odd about that is that here in Kent, I have seen lots of fieldfares but not a single redwing. The only other birds I saw were a sodden covey of partridges. Otherwise, I may have seen a dead bustard by the side of the road near Stonehenge.

Buzzards in a gale

Three buzzards were close together on the wheat field this morning. It is unusual to see more than one and very unusual to see them on the ground/ As I approached they eventually took to the air but only flew some twenty meters before re-alighting. I presume that they were feeding on worms and their reluctance to take to the air was due to the exceptionally high wind. The gulls on the field showed no such reluctance.

One for sorrow, two for joy - what about 25?

Preparing to roost today were twenty five magpies. This must constitute by far the greatest congregation of this species I have ever seen. There has been a large family group of around twelve individuals roosting in the trees beyond the garden of late, but today, two or more groups must have conjoined to produce this amazing flock. Their chattering was cacophonous and the sight of so many pied birds together was quite spectacular.

Two seasons in one day

This morning was a mild calm spring-like day. Birds were singing a dawn chorus and later, greenfinches and goldfinches joined in. Some of the greenfinches were even chasing around as if in courtship mood.
This afternoon is wet and windy and cold. Miserable. Confined to the house.

Singing Skylark

Although it was a damp dismal day, and there was no sign whatsoever of the local skylarks, one was singing on the hill at Nettlestead this morning. Perhaps it is because I am situated at the foot of the North Downs and therefore temperatures tend to be a little lower that the skylarks are yet to begin establishing their breeding territories.

Anyway, it was great to hear a sound that I associate most with summer and although this is said to be a declining species ion the UK there remains a very healthy population in this part of Kent.

Drumming Woodpecker

Heard for the first time this year a woodpecker drilling on the slopes of the North Downs. No doubt a male bird making an early start to establishing a breeding territory. The weather has turned mild again and I expect to hear and see other evidence of birds responding to the unseasonal urge to breed. A pair of mistle thrushes appear to have established a territory nearby and they are one of the earliest birds to breed. The many magpies are still in large family groups, but they will be dispersing soon and it will not be long before I see individuals carrying twigs to their bulky nests.

Belgian Lapwings

I spent much of yesterday in Belgium. There were actually relatively few birds to be seen, but it was great to see fields full of lapwings. The sodden flat lands of this country provide ideal feeding winter quarters for these birds and there must have been a hundred or more on some of the fields. Otherwise, there were the odd crow and then a large number of unidentifiable wild fowl as I sped along the motorway.

Value of hedges

My normal morning walk with Dylan (dog), takes me across the field to the church and then up towards the Downs. Before I reach the Pilgrims Way, there is a footpath with a hedge either side. On the one side it is quite thin, but sufficient to give protection from the wind and a thicker hedge lies on the other side leaving a narrow passageway between. Every morning I encounter birds within these hedges. This morning I counted the different species: blackbird hedge accentor, blue tit, great tit, ;long tailed tit, song thrush, tree sparrow (a first sighting for this area), and robin. If ever there was evidence for the value of hedgerows this is it. However, the single hedges around the fields here never appear to hold so many birds, usually a scattering of tits, robins hedge accentors and yellow hammers will be what you would expect to see, but nothing like the concentration seen within the double hedge.

Snow

This was the first covering of snow for two years in this part of the country. It was only a couple of centimeters deep and was gone by lunchtime, but it is surprising how it immediately brought birds into the garden. In particular, I counted, four blackbirds at one time. Yesterday, there were some very hardy skylarks feeding on the open field in a biting wind. Not sure what they were feeding on in those conditions.

Returning Fieldfares

For the first time in about two months, I today saw some fieldfares. It is interesting that they should have returned as soon as the cold weather should reach us after such an abnormally mild winter to date. I presume they have been feeding on lowland fields and in the orchards but are now perhaps returning for the last of the berries on the hedges hger at the foot of the North Downs.
For the first time in many years, I have yet to see a redwing this winter.

Flocking Finches

The scrub land behind the house was cleared a few weeks back and is now foraging ground for all manner of birds. But the dominant bird by far is the chaffinch. There are up to fifty individuals (mainly male) on a two acre patch. There are also greenfinches mixing with them. Today I also saw a flock of some thirty goldfinches feeding on the ground. It is a bit of a mystery to ascertain exactly what their food source is.

Hunting Goshawk

I have known for some time that there were goshawks in the area.  Having disturbed one from the carcass of a rabbit, it seemed likely that there was a resident population, but these birds are secretive and it can be very difficult to ascertain their presence. The environment in this part of Kent is ideal as there are large open fields interspersed with copse cover and also two large woodlands.
Yesterday I had the good fortune to be able to observe a hunting bird. It merged from the woods and flew low to the ground just rising to hurdle hedgerows. It was flying at some speed and clearly was hoping to take its prey by surprise,. There are plenty of crows and magpies around and still a healthy population of rabbits so food is readily available.

First song of Spring

Although several birds have been singing of late, especially the robin and song thrush, I was very surprised this morning to hear a greenfinch singing. It was not as if it was one of those lovely sunny January mornings as it is downcast with intermittent rain. Greenfinches will sing early in the year and I always wait to hear a chaffinch singing before I conclude that spring has truly arrived, but this is a particularly early instance.