Last night was forecast snow, but this morning all we woke up to was rain and storm force winds. A bit of a disappointment really, but at least without the snow drifts to contend with I managed to get out for an hour or so.
My venue North Meadow at Cricklade Here. It was very productive last time out, so I thought I'd give it another look. When I got there it was hardly surprising to see that the river levels were up and a that there was a bit more water on the meadow.
Closer to main road there were over 300 Redwing in the trees that eventually moved out onto the meadow, along with 5 Fieldfare to join a Little Egret. Also roadside there was a Chiffchaff heard calling and further down the road a pair of Grey Wagtails on the pavement.
Towards the west across the meadow there were 7 Pintails in the slightly deeper water. And in the centre of the meadow, in amongst the 200+ Black-headed Gulls, there were both a Common Gull and a solitary Lesser Black-backed Gull.
To the north-west, at a great distance, were 300+ Golden Plover, alas they chose not to land in the meadow, but were a long way off towards Latton and Cerney Wick.
Below unfortunately are a few poor quality images from today. Most were distance shots and as I've mentioned before my Canon PowerShot SX50 HS bridge camera I use is really excellent in good lighting conditions, but it does have its limitations when the skies turn grey.
Just a few of the 300+ Redwing present today.
Despite the howling wind these Redwing are just about hanging onto the branches. Even through the wind though, you can hear the 300+ Redwing chattering away.
One of the two Little Egrets on the reserve.
A very flooded meadow.
It might be flooded but the 7 Pintail here today were certainly enjoying themselves. There was even a pair mating!
Not very good quality I'm afraid, but in the distance are 7 Pintails (3 drakes and 4 ducks). It was absolutely blowing the gale, hence the background noise.
A pair of Mute Swans battle against the elements.
Very distant Golden Plover.
The Black-headed Gulls were a little bit more obliging and in amongst them......
........was this 1st winter Common Gull.
Most of the Black-headed Gulls are sporting their summer plumage, though the individual in the foreground is not far off.
Birds recorded were: 2 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, 4 Mallard, 7 Pintail (3m, 4f), 3 Moorhen, 300+ Golden Plover, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 18 Wood Pigeon, 2 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 300+ Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff calling, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, 5 Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Now I know why my two dogs keep barking outside. For the past few days, neighbours have told me that they have seen a male Fox in the daytime. And so it appears with one fast asleep on a neighbours shed, just two gardens down from my chickens!
Later around 5:00pm he woke up and went for an evening stroll.
Sleepy Fox
And now awake. (Martin Adlam)
A bit of nibble. (Martin Adlam)
And a quick glance in my direction, and hopefully not towards the chickens!
This evening he was off for a walk..
......................along the neighbours fences before dropping down into another neighbours garden.
With a quick look around a neighbours garden.
This was his first look into my garden, but appeared to be put off by something. (Apologies for the noise of the wind)
Eventually he struck up enough courage to have another go .......
.... and onto my shed before......
.....heading off towards the direction of Nythe Wood
This morning I had a quick trip to Savernake Forest in the hope of finding a Crossbill. They must have seen me coming as I didn't see or hear any. I did however come across a Willow Tit with a recording below. I have also included recordings from xeno-canto of both Willow Tit and Marsh Tit for comparison. If I've got this completely wrong, then please let me know. I did see it, but it was distant so a visual ID wasn't possible.
Willow Tit singing and in the background, apart from the wind, a Jay, Siskins and Redwing
For the most part the woods were fairly quiet and when I did come small pockets of birds they were mainly tits with the prominent species being Coal Tits. Either that or they just very vocal.
On the pond there were a pair of Mallard and a lots of frog spawn all underneath the north bank. Clever Fogs have worked it out that this area gets all the sun during the day. Not bad for an amphibian that spends a lot of time out at night.
There was also a very friendly Robin who tagged along with me and the dogs for a good 100 metres or so along the track, all the time just staying in front and when I caught up, he moved along to the next bush. I'll have to bring some mealworms along next time.
Also about were 2 Red Kites that circled overhead and then my first Raven of the year. I heard it first and then it passed over the treetops. As I approached the main track where I'd parked my car, there was quite a commotion going on, with 50+ Redwing all chattering away in the wood just south of where my car was parked. Also joining in were a few Song Thrushes and Blackbirds.
In fact this patch of woodland was very productive with bird life, with Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Jay and quite a few Siskins and Goldfinches. This was also where I heard what I believe to be my first Willow Tit of the year!
Birds Recorded: A pair of Mallard, 2 Red Kite, 1 Buzzard, Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 50+ Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Willow Tit, 10+ Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, 2 Jay, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, Chaffinch, 10+ Siskin and Goldfinch.
Here are a few images from today:
First a few trees
....another.....
Plenty of shattered trunks.
And another.........
A few bat boxes.
Another fallen soul......
This derelict building is along Charcoal Burners Road.
The Pond at the end of Postwives Walk.
A pair of Mallard on the pond
And here is the friendly Robin....
......and off he goes to the next bush as we follow him down the track.
One of the 2 Red Kites overhead
Willow Tit or Marsh Tit! Anybody's guess. Though its song would suggest Willow Tit, but I'm open to suggestions.
Note: Thank you to my good friend Ed Wilson, who confirmed that the song is that of a Willow Tit. Ed sees and hears Willow Tits almost daily at Priorslee Lake, Telford, Shropshire, so a good tick for the year.
Its been awhile since I last visited Nightingale Wood, and my goal was to find a Snipe at the pool. Alas it wasn't to be, but there was still plenty to see. Sounds a bit like yesterdays intro!!
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
Brook Meadow with Marston Brook running through it. This is the first time I've actually seen the brook in the meadow. And the reason you can see it is.........
.....someone has actually carried out some land management and cut back all the vegetation that had taken over the meadow. You can actually see into the meadow and follow the brook as it meanders through. I wonder how long that will last though.
Further down Marston Brook, towards the River Cole, these 2 Red-legged Partridges stopped to have a look at me before disappearing into the undergrowth.
I know its a Rabbit, but it's only the second one I've seen this year and the first one I've photographed. I actually saw 5 by the end of my walk. Also alongside the River Cole, 3 Roe Deer scampered away as fast as they could. To quick for a photo.
One of many Rooks in the field by the pool. Really ragged primaries.
One of 3 Common Buzzards........
.....seen here today.
Lots of interest by a few large gulls in this sheep field. Here are a pair of adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, whilst below......
......another Lesser Black-backed Gull with its wing outstretched and a Herring Gull watching on.
There's always a friendly Robin around and this one was interested in the flies on the manure heap.
And he wasn't the only one, as this Grey Wagtail was also feasting on the flies as well.
With a little bit of time on my hands I headed of to Cricklade's North Meadow in the hope of seeing the Black Swan, which has been there for the past few days. But as luck would have it, it was gone. Another day perhaps.
However there was plenty to see on the flooded meadows and neighbouring fields, and when I say plenty, I mean lots..... There were at least 280 Golden Plover, 300+ Lapwing and 400+ Black-headed Gulls. In amongst them were 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 2 Shelduck and a pair of Oystercatchers.
In the neighbouring fields I counted 6 Little Egrets, 3 Mute Swans and at least another 100 Black-headed Gulls feeding alongside them.
A Sparrowhawk was also having a field day, with several attempts to take Redwing and Blackbirds that were feeding on the Hawthorns in the hedgerow alongside the meadow. I must have seen in at least 4 times as it criss-crossed the field, putting up the gulls and plovers each time.
Not the best of notice boards, but it refers to North Meadow as "The Basin" or is North Meadow separate!
The Key to the above
Welcome to North Meadow
More information boards
A view across, I presume "The Basin"
A very flooded North Meadow
and the same looking north
You can just make out a female Sparrowhawk (centre of frame) as she continually harassed the winter thrushes, and upset the gulls and plovers as she did so
A pair of Coots make the most of the flooded meadow.
My first Shelduck of the year. An amazing size difference. I'm assuming the larger bird on the right is the male!
An immature Mute Swan
My first attempt at digiscoping, using a Viking Smart Phone Adaptor, a Galaxy Note 4 and my Kowa TSN 821M Scope with a 20 - 60 zoom lens. So that there was no shakiness when I took the photo, the Camera Phone was set to voice control, using either the commands Cheese, Smile or Shoot. I used the latter. Cheese or Smile, really!!
Not brilliant on this Oystercatcher
This was back to the Canon SX50 with the pair of Oystercatchers flying from left to right in the foreground.
Canon again and zoomed in on the first Oystercatcher.
Back to the Digi-scope with a few Golden Plover in amongst Black-headed Gulls and Lapwing.
Not too bad with the Digi-scope on these 2 Lapwings.
A few Golden Plover with the Digi-scope
And again
Back to the camera (as are all the remaining photos and video below). Here there are several Golden Plover again.
Just a few of the Golden Plover in flight.
Two drake Mallard head off down the River Churn towards the River Thames.
From the bridge that crosses the River Churn. The field beyond is quite saturated, but the gulls, egrets and Swans are finding it very much to their liking.
A Little Egret probes away with the Black-headed Gulls looking on.
Another Little Egret is about to be mobbed by the gulls.
Safety in numbers, 3 Little Egrets make their way along the edge of the field.
Close to main road a real "chatter" from at least 50 Redwing. Really nice to hear.
One of 6 Little Egrets in the field on your left as you come out of Cricklade, heading towards the A419 north.
A Little Bit of History
Now the history bit, as told to me by a lovely gentleman called John. There's a field on your right just before you come out of Cricklade. As you pass over the River Thames and before the next bridge which crosses part of the River Churn, the field on your right has lots of troughs and rises which believe it or not are "Dry Docks." Many hundreds of years ago boats were built here and if you look into the field there are at least 3 Dry Docks.
Below is an aerial photograph of the field and the next photo is my crude attempt to show where the boats were built before they were released onto the Thames.
Here is the field with the old "Dry Docks" still visible. If you look very closely you can just make out 3 dark green patches running through the field. (Photo courtesy of Google Earth)
Here is more crude overlay, showing three Dry Docks that are actually more visible at ground level than my examples shown above. (Photo courtesy of Google Earth)
The field from ground level. Still not the best shot to see the docks. Its actually far better to walk along the fence and see how evident they are.
