23-01-2015, 07:22 AM
1
Cop
Or Codger On Patrol.For the first time in weeks, the weather had calmed down, no gale force winds, sleet, rain, or frost, so i went to to St Marys to do a days recording for one of my http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/about sites.
Starting at the Brier Dene, there was plenty of activity with small birds evident from the pathway, with Robin, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, holding court. However the star bird was a Chiffchaff, a very common bird come April but as these migrate this must have overwintered rather than flying south.
Chiffchaff.
Walking along the links, the mini golf course held plenty waders feeding on the short turf as the tide was out. Oystercatchers, Turnstones, and Redshanks in numbers.
Ruddy Turnstone.
Walking into the cemetery a rich habitat of trees and meadows bordered by many gardens, it was quite, but i was pleasantly surprised to find a Tree Sparrow nest building. These are starting to recover due to a lot of work to support them during winter and the breeding season.
Tree Sparrow.
On to the small wetland formed from the old driving range, it held good numbers of Snipe Teal and Lapwing, the later were displaying but not yet calling.
Lapwing and a Teals bum.
Snipe.
From here it was a long walk up to Hartley the northernmost extent of my recording area, Curlew and Rooks in the mast field and a few Fulmar back on the cliffs.
Fulmar.
Back down the the cliffs to the lighthouse for the beaches and rocks on the incoming tide. Good mix of waders and a few Rock pipits with several gull species added to the days tally.
Rock Pipit.
Final bird of the day was a very approachable female Kestrel perched on a sign, 45 species counted and a few miles to walked made for a pleasant day.
Photos are from my library of images ive taken in the past.
regards brian.
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