Backyard Birding

Dawn and I paid a visit to her Mum and Dad in Aldbourne this morning, which gave me a great opportunity to do a bit of Backyard Birding. Perched almost at the top of Oxford Road, their house has a great view across Lottage Road to the tree line on the other side. So any birds passing through the "valley" are easily spotted, and this morning was no different.

The Back garden 

However even before I'd raised my binoculars, Don and Dawns "resident" Pheasants appeared from the Beech Hedge, no doubt looking for there Peanut treats.

The "resident" Pheasant

Along the hedgerow a Dunnock burst into song, but was soon drowned out by half-a-dozen or so Rooks from two doors down. What a racket as the youngsters continually followed their parents begging for food. They weren't the only corvids about as a pair of Jackdaws were flying back and forth with Crane Flies for their offspring, which were in a nest a couple of feet down a chimney pot.

A Dunnock singing from the Beech Hedge

Only to be drowned out by the Rooks

A parent Jackdaw arrives at the nest....

with a mouthful of Crane Flies

As the parent Jackdaws took off for another forage a pair of Red Kites flew over and started to tumble, which is not something I've seen before. I've seen Buzzards do it, but a first for me with the Kites.

A Red Kite takes a tumble

Before flying off together

And then finally another raptor came over but this time a RAF Hawk XX327, on a training flight. I'm still not sure where this one is based, but I believe its from the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine based at RAF Boscombe Down.

A RAF Hawk

from the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine

Birds seen today from the back garden: 2 Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, 2 Pheasant, 1 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 3 Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 3 Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.

Additional birds seen along Lottage Road were: House Martins, Corn Bunting and Common Whitethroat.

Also seen: 1 Green-veined White and 2 Common Wasps.

Today's Photos Here