Sometimes we do get what we wish for. I had been hoping to see some migrating whimbrel ... and as I was completing my tetrad visit this morning a sound from the sky alerted me to a flock of 24 landing in an adjacent field (Sarscow Farm) to feed. I didn't want to disturb them so just watched from the path with my binocs.
And what a difference a dry spell makes; I managed to cover my tetrad without getting caked in mud - a first! Also what a difference in bird species. Still a few rooks around but most of the other corvids have left and in their place are waders: lapwings, curlew and passing whimbrel.The hedgerows were busy with sparrows, finches, tits, dunnocks, robins and wrens. A pair of chiffchaff were showing anxiety - I must have stopped near their nest so moved away. I love this time of year when the hedgerows are full of colours: white blackthorn flowers, fresh green hawthorn leaves just bursting and the distant purple hue of waking trees.
Local information told me about yellowhammers and owls which today I didn't see but what a joy to watch a pair of circling buzzard and a pair of kestrel hunting over the fields near this derelict farm. And off Holker Lane a single single skylark threw his song against a clear cerulean sky.Click on the photos and they'll appear huge. Photo of whimbrel taken by Chris Rae of Chorley NATS http://www.chorleynats.org.uk
6 comments:
Your bird life sounds pretty much like ours Carol. We did tetrad walks for BTO Atlas last year and really enjoyed it. Two cock yellow hammers come to our bird table each morning,, so we are hopeful that we have two nesting pairs; the farmer saw a red kit earlier in the week which was exciting - hope they colonise here.
You were lucky with the whimbrel weren't you? My two bird watching friends have gone off today to search for ring ouzel.
how wonderful to have the whimbrels flying in like that...
I saw a buzzard at close quarters recently for the first time: what startling yellow legs they have!
wonderful whimbrel experience!
I've never seen a whimbrel - what a lovely name!
Weaver - Yellow hammers in the garden - great. We have a few in 10 mile radius of our house but none that close. Red kites - I'm totally envious!
All - yes I was very lucky with the whimbrels. I didn't get too close so as not to disturb them so there is a chance they were curlew but in my dreams they were whimbrels! The one that called must have been.
Coastcard - aren't their colour amazing when you see them close-up. I saw a sparrowhawk at close quarters and its amber eyes were very fierce.
Raph - I agree entirely.
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