Common Gull?

On the 13th. Nov. I noticed this first winter Common gull that seemed rather diminutive. It wasn,t until recently that I remembered last years Mew gull debate. I am no expert, but this bird does seem to have a short bill and ,well it grabbed my attention enough to snap off a shot.

One Year on!

Hawthorn berries, Browns Wood.

More rounded tail feathers of an adult Lesser Redpoll.

Adult Lesser Redpoll showing more red on the breast feathers.

Adult male Bullfinch.

I started my blog exactly one year ago. I suppose the Rosefinch was the spark. My aim is to report the species seen at Thornton and perhaps encourage others to report on their local sites. Recent sightings have included a mixed flock of about 20 Siskins , 10 Lesser Redpoll and afew Goldfinch. Two female Goldeneye were brief visitors. The gull roost is also increasing with up to 400 B.H. Gulls and afew Common Gulls. Recently I trapped this fine adult male Bullfinch and also an adult male Lesser Redpoll. Note the more rounded tail feathers of this bird. The Hawthorn berries at Browns Wood are also impressive this year and will hopefully get many birds through the winter.

Signs of Winter.

As the wind direction turned to a cold easterly some winter species made their appearance. On Saturday a Brambling was a welcome addition to the year list. On Sunday a fly over Goosander, 5 Goldeneye and 10 Wigeon all heralded the approaching season. Dispite all this a single Comma and a Red Admiral enjoyed the warm mid day sunshine. A second hand report of a probable Waxwing on the 30th October had me checking all the local berry baring shrubs. Finally, up to 23 Lapwing are roosting on the dam, where I am optimistically hoping for a Snow Bunting!

Grey Wagtail.

A smart Grey Wagtail was at the outflow recently. It was probably the bird that I had rung earlier in the year. Grey Wagtails are classed as uncommon resident breeders and winter visitors in the county. They regularly breed at Thornton and recently I had a count of 6 birds at the dam. They are definitely one of my favourite birds.

Visitors from the East!!

Two rare migrants were on T.R.W.P. recently in the form of an adult winter plumage Head of the Hungarian ringing scheme and an adult, slightly younger , Head of the Hungarian Great Bustard project. Check the tee shirt. Both migrated back east to their breeding grounds in central Hungary.

Lesser Redpolls.

Small groups of Lesser Redpolls have been around the church aswell as afew Siskins. A single juvenile Ruddy duck was present on 11th. Other birds of note include Little Owl, Peregrine, Kingfisher, 9 Wigeon and a Shoveler. The warm sunshine on the 17th had a Small Copper and a Comma butterfly on the wing. Finally, 4 Ravens flew over at 10 am. on the 22nd.

The photo shows a first winter male Lesser Redpoll that I trapped and rung. Males have pink breasts in the spring ,but this bird has only the odd pink feather.

Redwings.

I counted at least 800 Redwings heading south over Thornton in about one hour this morning. 8 Skylarks and 5 Swallows were also moving through. The only new year tick was a single Golden Plover. A first winter Stonechat was by the poney field at 1630.