Early Bird

Yesterday I said all that we are waiting for was a Spotted Flycatcher well the gods must have heard , and its right what they say the early bird catches the worm . As at 6-45 this morning I found our first Spotted Flycatcher of the year it was in the top part of the wood in the clearing , doing what flycatchers do flycatching . We now have the full set in our wood and its time for breakfast , I just love it when a plan comes together .

Pied Fever

I apologise for putting another image of our Pied Flycatcher on but its been present now for eighteen days , I see it and listen to it sing every day its now become part of my daily routine .

 

I have been going through past records today for the wood and it seems that we have just about reached the total that the wood achieves each year , the only bird missing from the list so far is a Spotted Flycatcher which arrives about now and usually stays to breed .

Swift Hobby

Two new birds for the wood today the first was found by Brian this morning when two Swifts were seen over the wood (64) species for the year . Another single Swift was seen over the farm field at 19-10 this evening by myself . The second new bird for today was a Hobby (65) being chased off over the farm field by around a dozen Swallows  at 19-00 this evening . Also noted today was a Mistle Thrush again in the farm field , two Great Spotted Woodpeckers , and we now have two Garden Warblers along the stream . The male Pied Flycatcher is still around the pool calling and several Willow Warbler were singing in the top half of the wood . Also the first Speckled Wood butterfly was in the quarry this morning .

Hobby.

Pied Flycatcher .

Afternoon sun .

An afternoon stroll in actual sunshine yes sunshine  it almost looked like a summers day , but as usual it didn't last long and soon clouded over . A walk along the stream proved very productive with a good selection of butterflies including our first Red Admiral of the year , its hard to imagine we are half way through may . Yesterday's Garden Warbler was quickly found as it was constantly singing as it was flicked from tree to tree . A flash of red caught my eye as one of the Redstarts flew along the stream and quickly disappeared out of sight  . A couple of Blackcaps and several Willow Warblers were also in full song , and a single Buzzard drifted overhead . Up by the pool and the loan some male Pied Flycatcher  was still pouring its heart out , and a pair of Bullfinch's were feeding along the edge of the waste ground . Bullfinch's are not common in this wood and I have only seen a single female all year so it was nice to see a pair together , it would be nice if they decide to stay and breed . It clouded over before I could do the top half of the wood so I decided to call it a day and go in for some refreshments , only to sit and watch a female Great Spotted Woodpecker not more than five feet from the window on my feeding station .

Garden Warbler .

Seeing Red

This male Redstart has been present now for over three weeks but there has been no sign of the female now for at least a week so hopefully she has taken one of the many boxes on offer time will tell , also along the stream this evening I came across our first Garden Warbler of the year (63) . The male Pied Flycatcher is also still present but as yet still no female  . Plenty of Willow Warblers in song in the evening sunshine after a typical summers day of strong winds and RAIN .

Female Wanted

Any single females out there , on offer is a quite location home by a pool on private land what more could you want .  I have been singing now for two weeks how much longer have I got to wait , Iam fit and ready to settle down with the right female , just drop in on your way by and see what's on offer .
Regards P Flycatcher .

Westport Lake

I really wish I could say that I found this on our woodland pool this morning but I can't and I didn't . This summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe was photographed on nearby Westport Lake this morning after a text from Nick Smith (Mr Westport Lake himself) .

I put the moth trap out last night for the first time in our wood but the conditions were not right as we had heavy rain all through the night , I decided after the effort of setting all up that I would leave it out and see what happened . Not much to shout about but below is a image of a Lunar Marbled Brown ( Drymonia ruficornis ) .

Its raining again as I write this so not much to say on the bird front only Jay , Nuthatch and one Lesser Redpoll on the feeders .

Nice suprise

A nice surprise after going two days with no sight or sound of our Pied Flycatcher , when this morning it was back as cheerful as ever calling for a mate from around the pool area . Also along the stream the pair of Redstarts are still present but as yet no sign of them settling down . I spent most of today out so not had my usual walk around the wood but on return did notice a couple of Jays hanging around the feeders along with Coal Tit , Chaffinch , Nuthatch , Long-tailed Tit , Lesser Redpoll (still) , Greenfinch , Great Tit , Blue Tit , Goldfinch , and a single female Siskin . Bluebells are coming out in good numbers so if it brightens up tomorrow should be good for some photo's . The moth trap is being prepared for tonight this will be the first time in the wood so if it doesn't rain fingers crossed the moth total on the right hand side of this blog should slowly start to rise . It will be really interesting during the coming months to see how many different species use the wood for food and shelter .

Late News

Late news from the 7th Tuesday evening when the Red Kite was again over the wood at around 19-00  seen by my next door neighbour , it was seen earlier over Macc forest at 18-20 . Also late news of the Pied Flycatcher which was again seen yesterday morning around the pool but not seen since . Due to my change in work load at present I have not been able to do my daily walk around the wood hopefully it will get back to normal this weekend . Only one Lesser Redpoll noted around the feeders now , and this evening the female Great Spotted Woodie was making light use of some fresh fat balls only just put out .

Bank Holiday

A day of two halves again today before work and after work . Before work I managed to locate the Pied Flycatcher still around the pool and still trying very hard to attract a mate . Also in the same area was a male Blackcap , two Willow Warbler a pair of Mistle Thrush and a single Chiffchaff . After work I took a walk down along the stream where I managed a record shot of the male Redstart that has now been present for over two weeks . We are long overdue a Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher so I went in search after tea in the top half of the wood with no success . But managed to find several more Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff's along with a party of seventeen Lesser Redpoll's . Three male Blackcap's are now on site but there are still no females to keep them occupied , and late evening the Pied Fly was still singing for a female bless him .

Out all day

This will be very brief as I was away from the wood all day , first thing this morning the male Pied Flycatcher was still calling and flycatching around the pool . A couple of Lesser Redpoll's are still on the feeders and on my return late afternoon I caught this Peacock sunning itself in the garden .

Day of two Halves

A day of two halves today with dark cloud and heavy bursts of rain this morning , then clear skies and beautiful sunshine this afternoon . It was also a day of two halves with the camera aswell first I went in search of the Redstart's and could not get within shooting distance , then when I wasn't really in search of anything I came across this Woodpecker .

The male Pied Flycatcher is still present but a little more mobile today , I think he has got a little tired of singing and hanging around for a female .

Decided to have a little fun in the sun with the Swallows .

Friday

The male Pied Flycatcher is still present around the pool and the pair of Redstart's have re-located themselves by the stream . Plenty of warblers present around the wood today with at least 15 Willow Warblers in song . (sightings by Brian) .
Don't know which of us was more surprised me or the Fox ,  he wasn't coming this side of the fence and I definitely was not going over his side .

 

A short video of our latest visitor.

Looking Good

I re-located the Pied Flycatcher this morning around the pool area its calling like mad for a female and carrying nest material into one of the boxes update later..... Also a Cuckoo over early morning.

 

 

Spent the whole day just wandering around the wood , oh and keeping one eye on our new arrival the flycatcher . It felt quite pleasant  in the sun today and it even brought out a few butterfly's , the first Orange tips and Green-veined Whites were noted along with Peacock , Small White and Small Tortoiseshell .The male Blackcap was in full voice around the pool area but it was no match for the male Pied Flycatcher which has called all day long and is still calling now at 19-00 as I type this . Still a small flock of around a dozen Lesser Redpoll's hanging on but it looks like all the Siskins have now departed . A couple of Linnets seen today along the farm track also around a dozen Swallows are back in the barns . I managed some more record shots today of our new visitor three more of which are posted below .

  

 

Finished the day of with a short trip up the moors and came across Golden Plover , Wheatear , Red Grouse and a Short-eared Owl .

At Last

It all started at 7-00 this morning and ended at 7-30 this evening so here goes with the story . I was on my way to work this morning just leaving the wood driving past the pool when I spotted a stunning male Pied Flycatcher sitting right in front of me on a low branch next to the small pool . Quickly I reversed the car and ran back in doors to pick up my camera only to return minutes later to find it flycatching high up in the branches . Frustrated that I couldnt even get a record shot for this blog I had to leave it and head off to work . Anybody thats been following this blog knows that 30 nest boxes have been placed around the wood to try and attract Pied Fly's and Redstarts to stop and breed , so you can imagine how I am feeling having now found my first male . All I could think about at work was a Pied Flycatcher in my wood and I was miles away from it , would it stay would it go . My camera was already on the front seat of my car so I would not even have to pass the pool just pull up and listen for its call . Time came to leave work the sun was out my heart was racing and soon I was entering my wood . I searched and searched but no sign , I went in doors got changed and straight back out . I searched the wood for over an hour listening and looking , I decided to try down by the farm and suddenly a red flash alighted from a fence post along the track to the farm . Yes I had found the male Redstart again and low and behold there was the female with it , superb and for a short while it took my mind of the flycatcher . I was starting to get hungry so back home for tea  , but all the time I was thinking about the Flycatcher so I decided to give it one last try . It was now around 7-00 o'clock some twelve hours since I first found it so my chances were slim to say the least but I didnt give up and decided to try the pool once more . I heard a single call some 50 yards from the pool  could it be or was I imagening things yes I was right there it was my stunning little friend from this morning calling and flycatching some 20 feet in front of me and this time I was looking at it through the lens of my camera . And as if things couldn't get any better it was checking out one of the nest boxes , please please find a female .

Not what they seem.

Things are not what they seem in my wood , nobody knows what lurks around the next corner . Dark and mysterious things are and could be happening as my neighbour found out when she stepped out a few weeks ago for a bottle of milk and never returned . Could this be all thats left ?

Found this fox skull on my walk around the wood , did it just die of old age or was it shot , needless to say we will never know .

False Start

I am very disappointed after a very intensive search I was unable to locate yesterdays pair of Redstart's . Swiftly moving on there was a male Blackcap and a Goldcrest by the feeding station this morning , also Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff were both seen from the window . Chiffchaff's seem to have increased slightly today with eight singing birds located compared to just six Willow Warbler's . A female Reed Bunting was found along the stream and four Linnets on the gorse bushes further along . Lesser Redpoll numbers seem to be dropping now with only around fifteen birds seen today of which I only had four on the feeders . Also one single female Siskin still present with four male Greenfinch and five Chaffinch . Two Jay's and two Buzzards were also noted on the walk around the wood . Todays weather wasnt good for looking for migrants as it started off cold and overcast and by mid-afternoon it was raining typical british weather . Below is an image of one of the Chiffchaff's I managed to capture on camera this morning before the weather turned .

Redstart's

A female Redstart has joined the male that as been present for a week now , so its all fingers crossed and hope they find one of the many boxes that have been put out for them . Redstart's are present in the wood most years but there has been no evidence of breeding before .  This morning a Stoat was seen briefly along side the stream it didnt hang around but I did manage a half decent shot before it disappeared out of site .

Bluebells are everywhere in the wood but due to the weather systems we are experiencing only this one has decided to brave it .

I also did quite well stumbling across nest sites today without trying too hard . First was a Nuthatch which I watched having a bit of nookie before embarking into a nearby hole neatly placed in the side of a tree . Second was a Great Spotted Woodpecker nest hole which I have been watching for over a week now but this time there was a Woodpeckers head pearing back at me from inside . Third was a Long-tailed Tit's nest neatly built and placed well out of view from the naked eye . And finally a Treecreepers nest again well hidden and out of site  . Living in a wood and being able to walk around it where and when I want to brings you very close to nature and things you would never normally see . Spring migrants are still arriving as we now have seven singing Willow Warbler's on site and five Chiffchaff . Swallows are also increasing at the farm with nine birds hawking for insects this morning . I some how managed to flush a Tawny Owl from a holy bush early morning which was then chased off by a couple of screaming Nuthatch and several Blue Tits . Four Grey Heron were again feeding in the valley field and a couple of Buzzards drifted overhead . Still around my feeders are twenty plus Lesser Redpoll's , six Greenfinch , three Siskin and half a dozen Chaffinch . The only butterfly seen today was a Comma which was sunbathing near the quarry photo below.

Friday

Another or the same male Redstart from sunday was located in the field at the back of the farm this afternoon by myself and Brian . Very frustrating as I tried for nearly two hours to capture this bird on camera but failed miserably , not even fireing a shot off as it was either out of range or hidden behind a mass of branches . Back along the stream and into the wood and Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff seemed to be everywhere calling as they searched for insects amongst the trees .  Four Grey Heron were feeding in the field next to the stream and four Jay flew overhead . Two Buzzard circled the wood and a single Raven called as it passed bye . A pair of Pied Wagtails were feeding along side the farm and a pair of Mistle Thrush flew from a nearby hedge . Around the feeders are good numbers of Lesser Redpoll's , three female and a single male Siskin and six Greenfinch . The only butterfly found this afternoon was a single Small Tortoiseshell along the top path . While waiting for the Redstart earleir plenty of young Rabbits were noted out in the sunshine this one came very close .

 The image below was taken this evening on my walk around looking at the storm clouds down the valley .   

Thursday

Spring migrants continue to arrive albeit late , we now have seven Willow Warblers in full song along with four Chiffchaff and two Blackcap but still no further sign of the Redstart seen earlier in the week  . Lesser Redpoll's are in good numbers around the wood with a flock of around twenty five seen , also nine still visiting my feeders . Other sightings this evening were a Mistle Thrush in the farm field , two Buzzards over the wood along with a single Grey Heron . Two Jays a single Wood Pigeon a pair of Collared Doves , and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker . Blue Tits have now taken over three of the nest boxes , and a pair of Long-tailed Tits were watched putting the finishing touch's to their wonderful construction  .  Several Bumblebees were noted late afternoon so the identification book is now out so watch this space .

Common Carder Bee .

Wednesday

Its 6-30 in the morning before work and plenty of action going on with fourteen Lesser Redpoll,s all fighting for a place on the feeders . Along with a pair of Greenfinch , a female Siskin , Nuthatch , Chaffinch , Dunnock and the resident Robin . Nearby a Chiffchaff was calling as a Jay passed over head .
After work around 16-30 and the feeders were still full of activity this time fifteen Lesser Redpoll's along with five Greenfinch , a female Siskin , Goldfinch and a pair of Collared Dove .

female Siskin.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday

Twenty plus Lesser Redpoll's still around the wood and eleven still visiting the feeders . A male Blackcap singing its little head off this evening along with four Willow Warblers and three Chiffchaff . There are now seven Swallows hawking insects around the farm but no sign of sunday's Redstart .

Back with a Bang.

After a week of Eagles , Divers and Hooded Crow,s its now back to reality and woodland birding . But back with a bang as the first Redstart of the year was found this evening  a stunning male along the fence post's by the farm and no camera on my shoulder , and to make things even worse I didnt find it Ann did . My excuse was I was watching two Red Deer in a nearby field so I was distracted .
Also this evening four Swallow's hawking insects over the farm field and buildings . Earlier in the day I had a good walk around with Brian we found four Chiffchaff , three Willow Warbler and a pair of Siskin . A large flock of between thirty and fourty Lesser Redpoll's were flying around the wood , and I still have ten visiting my feeders . A pair of Buzzards circled the wood and a single Mistle Thrush was feeding near the farm track . The Redstart brings the total to 60 species for the wood so far this year .

Saturday

Still on my way back from Isle of Skye so records are again from Brian . Today Small White , Peacock and Small Copper butterflies at the quarry along with Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler . Twenty Lesser Redpolls in the bottom wood along with a single Chiffchaff . Four Swallows around the farm also a pair of Pied Wagtails and four Buzzards over the wood .

Tuesday

A bit more in the way of spring migrants today , with four Chiffchaff a single Willow Warbler and a male Blackcap all down the bottom part of the wood . Four Swallows and a single House Martin by the farm and some newly hatched Tadpoles in the two small pools . Around the feeders are four Lesser Redpolls , two Siskin , two Greenfinch and a single Goldfinch . Many thanks to Brian for the sightings .

Sunday

Iam still away in Scotland so records today are from my good friend Brian . One Chiffchaff by the quarry and a second from the bottom of the wood . The male Reed Bunting is still visiting my feeders along with three Siskin and five Lesser Redpolls . At the pool ten Common Frogs today along with frog spawn .

At Last

At last just as I was packing the car this morning for a weeks holiday on the Isle of Skye , a Chiffchaff burst into song .This is the first returning bird of the year .

Only a Bunting

Its only a Reed Bunting you may say whats so unusual about that , well in our wood they are like rocking horse droppings . So it was panic stations as I got home from work to find this male Reed Bunting around my feeding station . I badly cut my hand trying to get this bird on camera but thats another story , I got it and thats all that counts . Its only the second ever record so when you say only a Reed Bunting think again !!!!!!!

Small but loud

The diminutive Wren is widespread and plentiful throughout the wood , but it suffers greatly during cold weather when numbers do plummet . Despite its abundance it is easily overlooked were it not for its loud song  as it forages unobtrusively amongst dense undergrowth . They prefer broad-leaved and mixed woodland with a dense shrub layer , but also occur widely alongside hedgerows and in gardens .

Bottom's Up

Our pair of Mallards were on the small woodland pond again today , scenic shot below .

Eight more nest boxes were put into place today which now makes a grand total of 28 . Hopefully they have been put in the right places to attract certain species but only time will tell . Had a good walk around the wood on three seperate occassions today but still no sight or sound of any spring migrants , this cold weather has certainly held them back .  I dont think I can ever remember going into the second week of April and not even hearing a Chiffchaff or seeing a Swallow , global warming I dont think so . Winter species are still hanging on in the wood with Redwing , Siskin and Lesser Redpoll all being seen again today .

Friday

We have a small herd of Red Deer in the wood and it is proving very difficult to capture them on camera , as once located they dont stay around for long . I stumbled across this female this morning and dont know which one of us was more supprised .

Thursday

A steady walk around after tea produced another new bird for the woodland list for the year this time it was a Pied Wagtail . Nothing rare you may say but a Pied Wagtail in a wood not something you would normaly expect  to see , I must be sad iam getting excited over a Pied Wagtail . Five Buzzards were enjoying the thermals over the top part of the wood , also noted in the same area was a Treecreeper , a single Jay and a Goldfinch . While back down by the farm track three Meadow Pipits were flushed by a male Sparrowhawk as two Cormorants flew over . Around twelve Redwing were around the pool area along with a single Song Thrush and a party of seven Long-tailed Tits . There are still small numbers of Lesser Redpoll's feeding around the wood but numbers are dropping fast ,  no Siskin have been seen during the last four days .

High as a Kite

Didn't get home from work untill late , quickly downed my tea and decided to have a walk along the top half of the wood . I got as far as the quarry when I heard jackdaws mobbing something flying over . I thought they were having a go at our local Buzzards again , but something didn't look right . Longer wings pale head tail twisting and turning Oh shit its a Red Kite , slight panic point camera turn on take a deep breath and shoot . As far as we know its only the second record for our wood not unless someone else can tell me any diffrent , it made my day you could say I felt as high as a Kite .

Easter Monday

A day at work today yes I know its bank holiday monday but some of us have to keep the country running . Is winter ever going to leave us I woke up this morning to another snow shower and bitterly cold north east winds . A birding friend of mine texted me at work to say he had just stumbled across the Tawny Owl roosting by the quarry , and later flushed a Woodcock from along side the stream . After arriving home around a dozen or so Redwing were in the field by the cottage and a Sparrowhawk drifted slowly over the wood .  A single Lesser Redpoll was on the feeder and a pair of Mallard flew up the valley .

British Summer Time

British summer time today so its all change or is it . Well not in our wood as the winter species are hanging on with not a summer visitor in sight . There are still good numbers of Lesser Redpoll's and Siskin's throughout and a flock of 26 Redwings which are very mobile and not easy to pin down . Even a very late Woodcock flew over the farm field and into a distant wood late afternoon . Possibly the only sight or sound of spring today was a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming . Also  noted  today were three Jays , a pair of Buzzards , two Nuthatch , twelve Wood Pigeons and a single Stock Dove .