Sunday 3 January 2010

Sparrows and Owls

A walk around Anglezarke (looking for brambling in Grey Heights Wood) did not bring many sightings - probably something to do with the weather.

Today's circular walk around Croston was much more rewarding. The highlights included finding a new location for tree sparrows (along with the two I already knew about) I hope they continue to increase as they have declined severly over recent years. It demonstrates how helpful humans can be be to wildlife - sometimes. I also saw a barn owl out hunting at 11.15am - obviously struggling with the weather. I hope it managed to find something.

Other pleasing sightings were 2 corn bunting on a wire, 7 yellowhammers, 3 red bunting, 1 skylark, 100 laughing jackdaws, 24 lapwings, c800 corvids (mainly crows), 1 buzzard, only 2 fieldfare, 1 mistle thrush, 1 song thrush, a fair few greenfinch, goldfinch and chaffinch, 1 wren, 2 cormorants perched on a high wire, 7 moorhen and other common garden birds.

I'm still working with my boots: flat walks ok but as soon as I start uphill the blisters begin....

4 comments:

Crafty Green Poet said...

good sightings, nice to know tree sparrows are doing okay in at least some places. All the fieldfares were probably in Edinburgh for the day...

The Weaver of Grass said...

How I love the idea of a hundred laughing jackdaws Carol! We have tree sparrows, they nest in our boxes and give us hours of pleasure. Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

That was a good list of sightings Carol, I can never find a Tree Sparrow.

Caroline Gill said...

It sounds a lovely walk, Carol. Great to see the owl, too. Keep warm!

from the field book

from the field book
An inspiring gift for anyone who enjoys watching nature.