A Few Surprises

A milder evening than Monday night with the temperature at 7.2°C, but with a biting westerly it felt a lot colder.

Observations started at 3:30pm with the last bird recorded at 4:10pm.

South is towards Coate Water
East is towards Patheon (Pharmaceutical company, Dorcan Way)
West towards Greenbridge
North towards Cotswold Water Park

Time                  Number                  Species                              Direction Heading

3:30pm                    3                    Chaffinches                                   West
                               7                    Lesser Black-backed Gulls             North
                               8                    Starlings                                       Local
                               1                    Black-headed Gull                          West

3:31pm                     8                    Black-headed Gull                         North
                                1                    Wood Pigeon                                South
                                1                    Blackbird                                      Local
                               
3:34pm                   15                    Lesser Black-backed Gulls             North
                              80                    Starlings                                       North

3:35pm                   16                    Lesser Black-backed Gulls             North
                                1                    Greenfinch                                    West

3:39pm                     4                    Black-headed Gull                          North
                                1                    Blue Tit                                         Local
                                1                    Wood Pigeon                                 South

3:40pm                     2                     Carrion Crows                               Local
                                1                     Black-headed Gull                        North
                                3                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls            North
                                1                     Magpie                                        Local
                                8                     House Sparrows                           South
                                1                     Sparrowhawk                                East

3:51pm                     2                     Pied Wagtails                                West
                                2                     Wood Pigeon                                South

3:52pm                     1                     Magpie                                         South
                                1                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls            North

3:53pm                     3                     Black-headed Gull                         North
                                1                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls            North

3:55pm                     1                    Chaffinch                                       East
                                6                    Black-headed Gull                          North

3:57pm                     1                     Little Egret                                    West

3:59pm                     1                     Herring Gull                                   East
                                1                     Wood Pigeon                                South
                           
4:00pm                    20                    Lesser Black-backed Gulls             North
                                2                     Herring Gull                                   North

4:02pm                    10                    Lesser Black-backed Gulls             North
                                4                     Herring Gull                                   North
                                3                     Black-headed Gull                          North

4:04pm                     6                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls              West
                                2                     Magpies                                        South

4:08pm                     1                      Magpie                                         East
                              13                      Lesser Black-backed Gulls            West
                                2                      Herring Gulls                                West

4:10pm                     2                      Chaffinch                                      West

Totals:

  92   Lesser Black-backed Gulls
  88   Starlings
  26   Black-headed Gulls
    9   Herring Gulls
    8   House Sparrows
    6   Chaffinch
    5   Wood Pigeon
    5   Magpies
    2   Pied Wagtails
    2   Jackdaws
    2   Carrion Crows
    1   Greenfinch
    1   Little Egret
    1   Blue Tit
    1   Blackbird

Main highlights this evening were 80 Starlings heading North, a Little Egret heading West and for once I was able to identify a few Herring Gull that sailed over the rooftops.

Tonight's Roost over Nythe

Clear Skies, Freezing temperatures 2.8°C

Observations started at 3:45pm with the last bird recorded at 4:10pm.

South is towards Coate Water
East is towards Patheon (Pharmaceutical company, Dorcan Way)
West towards Greenbridge
North towards Cotswold Water Park

Time                  Number                  Species                              Direction Heading

3:45pm                    2                     Wood Pigeons                               South
                               4                     Goosanders                                  North
                               1                     Chaffinch                                      West

3:46pm                    6                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls             North

3:54pm                    2                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls             North
                               1                     Wood Pigeon                                 East
                               6                     House Sparrows                             East
                             10                     Starlings                                        East

3:55pm                    6                      Black-headed Gulls                        West

3:56pm                    1                      Black-headed Gull                          South

3:57pm                    6                      Black-headed Gull                          North
                               4                      Lesser Black-backed Gulls             North
                               1                      Goldfinch                                       East
                               1                      Chaffinch                                       West

3:58pm                    1                      Chaffinch                                       South
                             50                      Black-headed Gull                          North
                               1                      Wood Pigeon                                 South
                               3                      Starlings                                        West

3:59pm                    1                      Wood Pigeon                                  East
                           
4:01pm                    1                      Wood Pigeon                                  East
                               3                      Starlings                                        West

4:05pm                    1                      Wood Pigeon                                  South
                               2                      Jackdaws                                       East

4:08pm                    2                      Pied Wagtails                                  North
                             
4:09pm                    2                      Pied Wagtails                                  West
                               1                      Magpie                                            Local
                               2                      Carrion Crows                                  Local

4:10pm                    2                      Pied Wagtails                                   West
                               1                      Magpie                                            Southeast


Totals:

  12   Lesser Black-backed Gulls
  63   Black-headed Gulls
    7   Wood Pigeon
    6   Pied Wagtails
    4   Goosander
    2    Jackdaws
    2    Magpies
  16    Starlings
    3    Chaffinch
    1    Goldfinch
    2    Carrion Crows
    6    House Sparrows


Main highlight this evening was watching 4 Goosander coming from the direction of Coate Water and heading North. Otherwise a very quiet evening.

Swan Lake

At the end of the year it's pretty normal for juvenile Mute Swans to be persuaded to leave the sanctuary of their birthplace and it's usually the cob that has the task of chasing the youngsters off the pool, to seek new waters and hopefully new mates. Unfortunately this year, things didn't quite work out like that at Liden Lagoon. Back in July the cob was set upon by two dogs and never survived its injuries. So instead the 3 youngsters have been swimming around with mum, and enjoying the freedom of the water. That is until recently, when a pair of adults arrived and have now decided that the lagoon would be a good place for them. Unfortunately for the resident pen this could very well end her time at the lagoon, after a good number years raising cygnets here.

I was only at the Lagoon for an hour or so but in that time the new arrivals had separated the juveniles cornering one of them behind the fallen Willow in the South-east corner. Later the cob forced the resident pen and her youngsters up onto the bank. Only time will tell, but I think they will be leaving soon.......................

Mum and the youngsters look nervous........

With good reason, as a newly arrived cob and his mate decided that the lagoon is theirs for the taking.

The first task was to separate one of the youngsters and force him into a corner.......

The youngster managed to escape, but having joined mum, was forced along with his siblings to leave the pool and make their way onto the bank.

The new arrivals seem quite pleased with their efforts and stop to have a preen.

Also on the water were 2 Canada Geese with a further 10 on the bank plus 40+ Tufted Duck with at least 15 females, the latter so difficult to count when they keep diving. A Great Crested Grebe was new in and was in winter plumage. Choosing to sleep close to this years nest, between the two islands. Other water birds were Moorhens, Coots with males squabbling, Black-headed Gulls, a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 adult Herring Gulls, a lot of Mallard and a Grey Heron on the north island.

Eight of the 10 Canada Geese that decided to have a wonder around the Lagoon.

A Great Crested Grebe has a nap.

Two adult Moorhens and a 1st winter juvenile on the bank.

This male Coot was very aggressive to other males as they approached his mate.

I'm beginning to think these two adult Herring Gulls are very much "resident" birds as often or not they are always here.
In the hedgerows were a few Blackbirds, a small flock of tits, mainly Long-tailed Tits with a Goldcrest tagging along. Across the A419 a Buzzard was preening himself on top of a tree, which made for interesting viewing as his "third eyelid" – a nictitating membrane, was quite visible at times. As he sat there preening the call of a few Jackdaws caught my attention and as I looked round there were a good 51 birds in a flock plus a Carrion Crow, heading east over the lagoon.

A Buzzard keeps an eye out across the fields before preening himself.

Birds like this Buzzard have moveable upper and lower eyelids, just like humans. But birds also have a "third eyelid" – a nictitating membrane which is located between the cornea (the membrane covering the eye surface) and the upper and lower eyelids. This thin, moveable membrane is used for protecting, lubricating, and cleaning the eye. The upper eyelid moves when a bird blinks. The lower eyelid closes when the bird is sleeping. The nictitating membrane opens and closes from left to right, while the upper and lower eyelids move up and down to open and close.
Birds Recorded: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan (2 Adults + Resident Pen and her 3 juveniles), 10 Canada Geese, 44+ Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 12+ Moorhen, 10+ Coot, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull,  Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, 4 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 51 Jackdaw, 12+ House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Also see 1 Grey Squirrel.

Neglected Pool

Today I did my WeBS count at Nythe Pool, the count wasn't too bad for such a small water, but what a terrible state the pool is in. I think the images below tell their own story. What gets me is that a week or so ago the Environment Agency sent two vans to the pool to check out the pollution that was flowing into it, so how on earth could they miss the rubbish that has collected in the pool and leave it there!!

Such a pretty pool but........................

..............the rubbish in the water...........

.........is beyond a joke!!!

Probably a case of "not my problem". Oh well at least the Mallards didnt seem to mind, my first for my winter WeBS count, also on today's list was a pair of Moorhen and a Grey Heron. As the vegetation dies back I'm sure I might get a Little Egret before long.

A Grey Heron waits patiently for a snack 

The resident pair of Moorhens

And my first Mallard for my WeBS count, swimming alongside the empty bottles.

Other birds of interest was a large party of Goldcrests, Blue Tits, Great Tits, a Coal Tit, a Treecreeper and a few Long-tailed Tits all feeding together in the brambles overhanging the brook flowing into the pool. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over my head and landed on a branch under a Wood Pigeon, I managed just one shot before a Sparrowhawk shot through and sent all the birds flying off in different directions. Friday there were quite a few Blackbirds at Stratton Wood and it was no different here with at least 6 feeding on the ground and on the berry bushes.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker lands beneath a Wood Pigeon and within seconds both birds were gone as a Sparrowhawk shot through.

One of quite a few Blackbirds around the pool today.

And there's never a Grey Squirrel too far away from the pool

Birds Recorded: 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard (pair), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Moorhen, 2 Black-headed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 10+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 6 Blackbird, several Redwing heard, 3 Goldcrest, 1 party of Long-tailed Tit (4+ birds), Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Wren, 4 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Chaffinch and 6 Goldfinch. 25 species.

Also seen 1 Grey Squirrel

Winter Sun

I think I planned my walk quite well this afternoon, as soon as I parked up the sun came out. I know most people are parking their cars by the bungalows just off Kingsdown Road, but I decided to park in the lay-by on the southbound carriageway just off the A419. It's just a short walk back up the grass verge and then you're at the footpath into the wood. Unfortunately the main car park is closed because of pipe laying, which now extends all the way through the wood and up Kingsdown Lane.

Looking South. lay-by and footpath on the left

Start point in Red. Black arrows route. Blue line is the pipeline and Green dot the main car park that is closed until May 2015.

Looking back to the footpath gate, A419 and Swindon Garden Centre on the other side of the carriageway.

The main car park in the distance, now closed off.

The pipeline being laid in the wood.

This is the track looking south and runs adjacent to Kingsdown lane which is also being dug up to lay pipes.
Once I'd sorted out my route and was on my way, I was surprised to find lots of Blackbirds, they seemed to be everywhere. Last Autumn I did the Winter Thrush Survey here and I reckon there were more here today than the whole period I did my survey. Strangely though I only came across 4 Redwing and they were all in flight. Other thrushes recorded were 2 Mistle Thrushes and 6 Song Thrushes.

One of many Blackbirds feeding on the Hawthorn Berries

A female Blackbird

It wasn't just the thrushes out in force but good numbers of finches including two Brambling that took flight with the Chaffinches when I got too close.

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

As always there were plenty of Magpies about and I also managed a quick photo of a Jay that landed in the Silver Birch in front of me. Also about was a Green Woodpecker which was feeding on the short grass before I disturbed it and a Chiffchaff calling in the hedgerow, where I also came across a few Bullfinches.

Jay

A Magpie keeps a wary eye on me.

Whereas this Rabbit took one look at me and was gone......

Birds Recorded: 1 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, 23+ Blackbird, 4 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, small party of Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, 1 Jay, 8 Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Brambling, 20+ Chaffinch, 25+ Goldfinch (one charm of 11), 8 Greenfinch and 6 Bullfinch.

Also seen 4 Rabbits

Tonight's Roost News

A good 100% cloud cover and drizzle. A slight southerly wind.

Observations started at 3:30pm with the last bird recorded at 3:57pm.

South is towards Coate Water
East is towards Patheon (Pharmaceutical company, Dorcan Way)
West towards Greenbridge
North towards Cotswold Water Park

Time                  Number                  Species                              Direction Heading

3:31pm                    1                     Cormorant                                    South
                             13                     Starlings                                      Local birds
                             35                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls            North
                               5                     Herring Gulls                                North

3:35pm                    2                      Wood Pigeons                             South

3:38pm                  58                      Lesser Black-backed Gulls            North

3:40pm                    4                      Wood Pigeons                             South
                              30                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls           North

3:41pm                   23                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls           North

3:42pm                   65                     Lesser Black-backed Gulls           North

3:43pm                   2                       Pied Wagtails                              North
                              1                       Chaffinch                                    Northwest

3:44pm                   2                       Magpie                                       South
                              1                       Chaffinch                                    Northwest

3:46pm                   2                       Wood Pigeons                             South
                              4                       Lesser Black-backed Gulls           North

3:47pm                   2                       Lesser Black-backed Gulls           North

3:49pm                   2                       Chaffinch                                     North
                               
3:50pm                   1                       House Sparrow                            Local
                              1                       Chaffinch                                    North
                              3                       Jackdaws                                   South
                              1                       Wood Pigeon                              South

3:52pm                   1                       Chaffinch                                    North

3:53pm                   1                       Meadow Pipit                              South

3:57pm                   1                       Greenfinch                                  North
                              1                       Meadow Pipit                              South
                              2                       Redwing                                     Northwest



Totals:

 217  Lesser Black-backed Gulls
    5   Herring Gulls
    9   Wood Pigeon
    2   Pied Wagtails
    1    Cormorant
    3    Jackdaws
    2    Magpies
    2    Redwing
  13    Starlings
    2    Meadow Pipits
    6    Chaffinch
    1    Greenfinch

Main highlight was the number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls with a 217 recorded in just 16 minutes.

Just a few of the 217 Lesser Black-backed Gulls recorded tonight

What Great Timing

Another flying visit to Liden Lagoon this lunchtime and as I arrived there were a few Black-headed Gulls on the water and 3 Herring Gulls. One of the Herring Gulls was quite close to the north bank and was distinctly different than the two further down the lagoon. It was a very clean bird, without the dark narrow streaks associated with a bird in winter plumage and further to that its head shape was different as well, being a bit bigger and less rounded than that of the two other Herring Gulls. As soon as I walked down to the anglers pontoon, it took off to reveal yellow-legs, which in the back of my mind was what I thought it would be, a Yellow-legged Gull. But it was so frustrating, its flight path took it over the trees to my right and it headed off towards the Dorcan Royal Mail Sorting Office. With my binoculars I followed it and hoped it would turn and double back to the Lagoon, but instead it just carried on heading north. maybe to roost at the Cotswold Water Park!

Alas not the Yellow-legged Gull, that flew off before I could get the camera out. This 3rd Winter Herring Gull and his mate on the other hand, weren't easily put off by my presence at the Lagoon.

What a cracking start for what was only going to be a quick walk around the lagoon. I just love Yellow-legged Gulls and this one was quite special as it was my first for Wiltshire. In Shropshire on my old patch at Priorslee Lake, Telford I used to get one or two daily in the winter and the occasional Caspian Gull. But this one is definitely one I shall remember.

I was still buzzing even when I got back to car, but I did have other highlights with a Little Grebe, the first I've seen here for quite awhile. There were also a couple of Cormorants and a Grey Heron. Surprisingly there wasn't a single Canada Goose to be seen, you're always guaranteed at least a couple, but not today. The 3 juvenile Mute Swans are doing well and were following mum around the water.

Hidden in amongst the submerged branches a Little Grebe keeps a low profile.

Like a prehistoric bird this Cormorant flew in to join his mate on the water.

Diving continuously in the shallows, I could track exactly where he was going to pop up, by following the bubbles exploding on the surface.

Mum leads the juveniles around the lagoon. I wonder if she will persuade them to leave or wait until another cob arrives and sees them off.

Tufted Duck numbered around 26, but the Goosander from a few days ago have moved on. Overhead 3 Redwing called and a Sparrowhawk flashed through. In the hawthorn bushes there were up to 4 Blackbirds and 2 Song Thrushes making short work of the berries. A very vocal Goldcrest was "calling" at a feverish pace as it was feeding. In doing so it attracted a couple of pairs of Great Tits and Blue Tits, who all came down to see what all the noise was about. Once he got his crowd, he stopped. It does beg the question; was he calling other birds to join him so that they could feed in a flock. Safety in numbers!

A few of the drake Tufted Ducks present today.

And one of the two Grey Squirrels I came across this lunchtime

Birds Recorded: 1 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan (1 adult + 3 juv), No Canada Geese, Mallard, 26+ Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 19 Moorhen, 15 Coot, 43 Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 4 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, 2 Jackdaw, 11 Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Also 2 Grey Squirrels

A Quick Break

With a chance to get out of the house for an hour I thought I'd have a quick walk around Liden Lagoon. It was a bit gloomy and grey; very typical of a November's day. The sun did try to come out but it was very brief.

As normal I parked up by Barnmoor Close and walked clockwise around the water. The first thing I came across as I walked down to waters edge were the juvenile Swans doing a bit of synchronised diving whilst mum was looking on. When they came back up to the surface they had great clumps of weed in their beaks, whilst to my left a Black-headed Gull was having a right old dispute with a Coot. Whatever it was about neither were prepared to back off until the Coot got a peck and swam off towards the bank with the Black-headed Gull paddling furiously in pursuit. After a few metres the gull flew off. Who know's what that was about!

Synchronised diving by the juvenile Mute Swans, whilst mum watches on with a huge clump of weed in her beak.

A Coot and a Black-headed Gull square up to each other. Whatever it was about the Coot got a peck on its head for its troubles!
Further around towards the A419 embankment I came across two Grey Squirrels, separated by the stream between them, though I don't doubt they swing across the branches to get to other side.

A Grey Squirrel keeps a wary eye on me.

Along the far bank a couple of anglers were trying their luck. The water is getting quite cold now and a lot of fish are starting to slow down their metabolism, as these anglers were finding out, though they were getting a few line bites which keeps the interest going. In the wood here I came across a Sowbread, Cyclamen hederifolium in full flower.

Sowbread, Cyclamen hederifolium in full flower.

As I approached the mid point between the islands a "white" bird on the water caught my eye and as it turned sideways, it turned out to be my first Goosander of the Winter. In fact as I walked around the bottom end of the water there were a further 4 birds, two drakes and two females. That wasn't all either as there was also a Cormorant swimming in amongst them, giving the water a good "stir" which in turn got 3 Herring Gulls very excited, with the prospect of free nosh.

Many years ago I witnessed 40 Cormorants working a reservoir in Shropshire pushing small fry up onto the surface. Not only did this interest the local gulls, but a Carrion Crow also joined in by literally skipping along the surface picking off small fish. Quite bizarre!

Two of the 3 drake Goosander at the lagoon today.

And one of the two female Goosanders

The Cormorant gives himself a good wash....

before lifting himself up onto the pontoon.....

too dry off his wings.

By the time I got around to the path proper on the west bank, a few Tufted Duck flew in to bump the numbers up to 10 and there was quite a bit of interest by these ducks plus the 30+ Mallard and Black-headed Gulls up at the north end of the lagoon. Whether it was to do with Mute Swans foraging on the bottom of the lagoon and releasing food to the surface, I don't know, but there was a lot of birds at this end of the lagoon. 

Four Tufted Duck, could be two drake and two females. However I think this is 2 adult drakes, a female and an immature drake (centre). Very difficult at this time of year with juveniles mixed in with adult birds. A lot easier to tell apart when they've finished moulting.

As I made my way back to the car a pair of Siskins flew towards the north island, my first this Winter or is it still Autumn! These were joined by 5 Goldfinches which were also heading for the Alders. At the car a Goldcrest called and I somehow got a shot of him as he peered over the branch. Just sheer luck, next shot he was gone!

Okay not the best shot of a Goldcrest, but often or not you only get one chance to photograph them and on this occasion I waited and hoped he would move up to this spot. He did and this is the result of what is a very busy bird.

Birds Recorded: 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan (1 adult + 3 juv), 6 Canada Geese, 30+ Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 5 Goosander (3 drake + 2 female), 12+ Moorhen, 9+ Coot, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Goldcrest, 1 party of Long-tailed Tits, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 4 Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 2 Siskin and 5 Goldfinch. 

Also 2 Grey Squirrels.