Pale phase juv. Buzzard.

I managed to get some rather blurred shots of this pale phase juv. buzzard as it talon grappled with another typical coloured buzzard.

The images below show the black comma mark on the underwing and also how pale/white the bird was. I have not noticed this bird locally and wonder if it was on passage.

New Camera!

Up to 7 Swallows on the 5th. and a single House Martin on the 3rd, and one on the 6th.

Managed to photograph this Coal Tit , but also added Willow tit to my Thornton list today at Brown's wood.

Pair of Buzzard that I thought were about to mate. One then circled over me giving a good photo op.

First Swallow.

A single male Swallow was feeding off Stoney Bank this evening with a dozen or more Sand Martins. There were 10 Pied Wagtails in the field. Since the Scaup it has been quiet, with just a sprinkling of migrants. The first was a Curlew on the 11th with the first Sand Martins on the 15th. Chiffchaff were singing on the 19th, but the first Blackcaps only arrived on the 1st April. There have been up to 7 Buzzards wheeling over the res. There was a White Wagtail in the Wagtail field on the 28th March. A Water Rail has been seen at the top end amongst the reeds. Groups of Fieldfare and Redwing are now heading back north, although the weather in the next few days may hold them up. Butterflies seen so far include Brimstone, Tortoiseshell, Large White and Peacock. Both Noctule and Pippestrelle bats have been out hunting.

Adult Male Scaup.

Dave Wright found a fine male Scaup on Tuesday 6th. It was still frequenting the central area of the res. on the 7th. This is the first Scaup since 2010 and it is great to see an adult male. There were also 4 Shoveler. At times the Scaup was close to the dam giving photo opportunities.

First Spawn.

Frog spawn in the shallow scrape/pond at Browns wood.(28th. Feb.)

Other signs of spring have included a Song Thrush carrying nesting material, pairs of Buzzard wheeling together and plenty of Bumble bees collecting nectar. I also have a pair of Siskins that look like they might stay to breed.(Very rare county breeder!)

Dessy Lakes Ticks!

A walk around Desford Lakes on Saturday afternoon resulted in 3 new year ticks. Skylark were singing and three Meadow Pipit were doing Tree pipit impressions. On this one you can just make out the very long hind claw. I also flushed three Woodcock. Other species of note were a pair of Green Woodpeckers, 4 Buzzard, 3 Ravens and a small flock of Lesser Redpoll.

February Snow.

Thornton with 3" of snow on the morning of 5th Feb. before the fog rolled in.

A male Reed Bunting feeding in the garden. I always presume that this is a species that I will see on my New Years day bird count. However, last year I did not see one at Thornton until the 5th Feb. and this year it was the 4th Feb. So where are they in January?

About 75% of the res. is frozen and good numbers of wildfowl are crammed in to the open water. They include 26 Pochard, 32 Teal and Harry the Whooper is back. Other species noted recently have included Tawny and Little Owl, Peregrine, Treecreeper, Rook, and Greylag Geese.

There is also a pale yellow Canary coming to gardens near to the church. It is often seen singing and has even attracted the attention of the Reed Bunting. I think it is a Canary breed known as an American singer, but I am no expert on cage birds. I am surprised that it has survived this long as a male Sparrowhawk hunts regularly in the area.