27/2 : Willow Tit : Manor Farm Quarry.
Calling and working its way along the river near the quarry.
Adam H
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Friday, 25 February 2011
Friday 24th February 2011 - Afternoon.
13:30 > 15:00
Cloudy, later rain, west wind at times, a balmy 12c.
The single Oystercatcher still on site as were a couple of Common Snipe and the usual Green Sandpipers and Little Egret.
Given recent numbers suprisingly no Goosander or Lapwing today. I guess the steady rise in temeratures this week made the former think of heading further north to breeding grounds and the way the diminishing number of Wigeon (just 12 today) were feeding up I'd guess they will not be far behind. The loose Mute Swan flock up on the hill heading towards Castlethorpe has also gone, spring may indeed be in the air.
Gulls which have been sparse or non-existant over the last couple of visit were back in force today with a circa 500 strong flock arund the site. Nothing of note within, on the whole Black Headed and Common with a handful of Herring Gull.
Over on Cosgrove Lake a few dozen Tufted Duck one or two Pochard and a pair of Great Crested Grebe were on an unusually quiet water for the time of year.
Cloudy, later rain, west wind at times, a balmy 12c.
The single Oystercatcher still on site as were a couple of Common Snipe and the usual Green Sandpipers and Little Egret.
Given recent numbers suprisingly no Goosander or Lapwing today. I guess the steady rise in temeratures this week made the former think of heading further north to breeding grounds and the way the diminishing number of Wigeon (just 12 today) were feeding up I'd guess they will not be far behind. The loose Mute Swan flock up on the hill heading towards Castlethorpe has also gone, spring may indeed be in the air.
Gulls which have been sparse or non-existant over the last couple of visit were back in force today with a circa 500 strong flock arund the site. Nothing of note within, on the whole Black Headed and Common with a handful of Herring Gull.
Over on Cosgrove Lake a few dozen Tufted Duck one or two Pochard and a pair of Great Crested Grebe were on an unusually quiet water for the time of year.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Thursday 24th February 2011 - Evening
17:15 > 17:30
Sun (at last!), westerly wind increasing, 11c
Spring is in the air, not only the mild spell continuing but some sun and the first returning Oystercatcher to boot. One of the usual Green Sandpipers also seen in the vicinity as were just 8 Lapwing this evening.
Goosander numbers still high with 17 on site and 30 or so Wigeon still grazing out on the mud.
Last and probably increasingly least is the Common Buzzard, now so common and confiding i'm probably not going to include him anymore unless he does something out of the norm.
Sun (at last!), westerly wind increasing, 11c
Spring is in the air, not only the mild spell continuing but some sun and the first returning Oystercatcher to boot. One of the usual Green Sandpipers also seen in the vicinity as were just 8 Lapwing this evening.
Goosander numbers still high with 17 on site and 30 or so Wigeon still grazing out on the mud.
Last and probably increasingly least is the Common Buzzard, now so common and confiding i'm probably not going to include him anymore unless he does something out of the norm.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Wednesday 23rd Feruary 2011 - Evening
17:15 > 17:30
Cloudy, calm, mild at 10c
Quick look in on way home. Goosanders still dominate, now 20 on the main water. Only other birds of note, 50 resting Lapwing.
Cloudy, calm, mild at 10c
Quick look in on way home. Goosanders still dominate, now 20 on the main water. Only other birds of note, 50 resting Lapwing.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Tuesday 22nd February 2011 - Evening
17:00 > 17:30
Calm, cloudy, cool 7c
Just catching the last half hours light of the day post work. Some good areas of mud now showing, fingers crossed that things might look up after last years disruption.
Goosanders again the dominant bird, a flotilla of 18 on the main body with again two clear cut males but a handful of others having plumage that looks to be that of juvenile males. Six Common Teal the only other fowl in this area.
A lone Little Egret picked about in the margins while Lapwing numbers have built up to circa 150. The usual Common Buzzard and that was about it.
Calm, cloudy, cool 7c
Just catching the last half hours light of the day post work. Some good areas of mud now showing, fingers crossed that things might look up after last years disruption.
Goosanders again the dominant bird, a flotilla of 18 on the main body with again two clear cut males but a handful of others having plumage that looks to be that of juvenile males. Six Common Teal the only other fowl in this area.
A lone Little Egret picked about in the margins while Lapwing numbers have built up to circa 150. The usual Common Buzzard and that was about it.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Friday 18th Feb 2011 - Afternoon
15:30 > 16:30
7c cold easterly breeze, cloud, odd flash of sun.
Goosanders again the order of the day at Manor Farm. Over 20 in the vicinity. A party of sixteen on the main body of water including just one clear cut male the rest looked to mostly female. A further five on Cosgrove Lake and two pairs on the Ouse itself.
Apart from that not a lot, the usual pair of overwintering Green Sandpipers and a single Common Buzzard were the only other things of note.
(And yes i've got a couple of months of notes to post up, nothing really of note though, watch this space)
7c cold easterly breeze, cloud, odd flash of sun.
Goosanders again the order of the day at Manor Farm. Over 20 in the vicinity. A party of sixteen on the main body of water including just one clear cut male the rest looked to mostly female. A further five on Cosgrove Lake and two pairs on the Ouse itself.
Apart from that not a lot, the usual pair of overwintering Green Sandpipers and a single Common Buzzard were the only other things of note.
(And yes i've got a couple of months of notes to post up, nothing really of note though, watch this space)
Friday, 11 February 2011
Friday 11th February 2011 - Afternoon
Dull damp calm and a mild 11c
15:00 > 15:30
An influx of Gulls especially out feeding on the pasture with around 300 on the top field alone and amaybe double that number all told. Mostly Black Headers & Commons but with a sprinkling of Herring Gulls within.
On the water three Teal are a new addition to usual Wigeon flock, now numbering around 30 and the 11 strong flotilla of Goosander, 10 redheads and one lucky male.
Over 120 Lapwing rested till sent skywards and away west by an overflying resident Common Buzzard. Three of the overwintering Green Sandpipers were also observed.
Probably the most notable bird though were Pied Wagtails with around 20 flitting about the site. The portender of better things to come? Heres hoping...
15:00 > 15:30
An influx of Gulls especially out feeding on the pasture with around 300 on the top field alone and amaybe double that number all told. Mostly Black Headers & Commons but with a sprinkling of Herring Gulls within.
On the water three Teal are a new addition to usual Wigeon flock, now numbering around 30 and the 11 strong flotilla of Goosander, 10 redheads and one lucky male.
Over 120 Lapwing rested till sent skywards and away west by an overflying resident Common Buzzard. Three of the overwintering Green Sandpipers were also observed.
Probably the most notable bird though were Pied Wagtails with around 20 flitting about the site. The portender of better things to come? Heres hoping...
Friday, 4 February 2011
Friday 4th February 2011 - Afternoon
15:00 > 15:10
Very strong westerly wing, gale force gusts and a mild 10c.
A very windy day in the valley and it seems everything has gone undercover for the day. After ten minutes battling it I decided to join them.
Very strong westerly wing, gale force gusts and a mild 10c.
A very windy day in the valley and it seems everything has gone undercover for the day. After ten minutes battling it I decided to join them.
Friday, 28 January 2011
Friday 28th January 2011 - Afternoon
15:00 > 15:15
Cold, gusting NE wind, 2c.
Given the weather just a quick visit. Three Green Sandpipers observed bar a single forlorn Lapwing the only waders on site. A couple of dozen Wigeon still pick about on the mud while on the water seven Goosander (5m, 2f) represent the wildfowl. In the skies a pair of Little Egret over and the usual Common Buzzard wrapped up the day.
Cold, gusting NE wind, 2c.
Given the weather just a quick visit. Three Green Sandpipers observed bar a single forlorn Lapwing the only waders on site. A couple of dozen Wigeon still pick about on the mud while on the water seven Goosander (5m, 2f) represent the wildfowl. In the skies a pair of Little Egret over and the usual Common Buzzard wrapped up the day.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Friday, 7 January 2011
Friday 7th January 2011 - Afternoon
15:00 > 15:30
Dull, damp, calm, 6c.
First visit of the year and the first since mid-December. Back Brook has now flooded right through and is in flow, later than usual this season. Wildfowl again the centre of attention on the main body, numbers as follows, Goosander 8 (5f, 3m). Wigeon 30, Gadwall 3, Shoveler 2. Unfortunately no time to scan whats happening over the river at Cosgrove.
A pair of Green Sandpipers, there may be more, continue to overwinter.
70+ Lapwing were also resting on one of the spits as was a single Little Egret. Of interest were the remains of a Mute Swan along Back Brook with just a pair of wings remaining and feathers spread over quite a large area in a trail it looks like quite a struggle took place starting at the waters edge. You do have to ask what could have done this and discounting Fox because of the size of the prey you would have to suspect one of the dogs that 'responsible' owners let roam around the vicinity whether there are sheep in the field or not.
Dull, damp, calm, 6c.
First visit of the year and the first since mid-December. Back Brook has now flooded right through and is in flow, later than usual this season. Wildfowl again the centre of attention on the main body, numbers as follows, Goosander 8 (5f, 3m). Wigeon 30, Gadwall 3, Shoveler 2. Unfortunately no time to scan whats happening over the river at Cosgrove.
A pair of Green Sandpipers, there may be more, continue to overwinter.
70+ Lapwing were also resting on one of the spits as was a single Little Egret. Of interest were the remains of a Mute Swan along Back Brook with just a pair of wings remaining and feathers spread over quite a large area in a trail it looks like quite a struggle took place starting at the waters edge. You do have to ask what could have done this and discounting Fox because of the size of the prey you would have to suspect one of the dogs that 'responsible' owners let roam around the vicinity whether there are sheep in the field or not.
Friday, 17 December 2010
Friday 17th December 2010 - Afternoon
14:30 > 15:30
Sunny, cold, odd snow flurry, 2c.
An influx of wildfowl. On the main body a party of six Shoveler (three pairs), three Gadwall and around 20 Wigeon out on the mud were notable though stars of the show once more were the increasing numbers of Goosander with a group of ten (3d, 7f) with others noted on the silt beds and over on Cosgrove Lake. Also over the River Ouse at Cosgrove groups of Tufted Duck and Pochard were also noted as were two Little Egret amongst the group of Grey Heron which congregate by the reed beds on the north shore.
Away from the ducks a Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk over and a welcome Kingfisher along the Ouse.
Sunny, cold, odd snow flurry, 2c.
An influx of wildfowl. On the main body a party of six Shoveler (three pairs), three Gadwall and around 20 Wigeon out on the mud were notable though stars of the show once more were the increasing numbers of Goosander with a group of ten (3d, 7f) with others noted on the silt beds and over on Cosgrove Lake. Also over the River Ouse at Cosgrove groups of Tufted Duck and Pochard were also noted as were two Little Egret amongst the group of Grey Heron which congregate by the reed beds on the north shore.
Away from the ducks a Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk over and a welcome Kingfisher along the Ouse.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Tuesday 14th December 2010 - Afternoon
15:30 > 15:45
Cold, damp, calm, 3c
A very brief visit with just a single Green Sandpiper and one of the resident Common Buzzards of note.
Cold, damp, calm, 3c
A very brief visit with just a single Green Sandpiper and one of the resident Common Buzzards of note.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Friday 10th December 2010 - Afternoon
14:30 > 15:00
Damp, cold, west wind, 6c.
Another cold damp winters day. Still some pockets of ice about but this didn't deter the bird of the day a single Curlew from flitting about the shallows on the main area and over into cover on Cosgrove Lake. Apparently there has been an influx inland in recent days and certainly a suprise, just my second record of the species at the site the other being a pair a couple of summers ago.
A lone Green Sandpiper was the only other wader of note whilst three Goosander (1m 2f) caught the eye on the silt beds. On the Ouse a Kingfisher flashed by. Where the work was carried out last week (see Dec 3rd) there is now a clear fast race for a couple of hundred metres.
Damp, cold, west wind, 6c.
Another cold damp winters day. Still some pockets of ice about but this didn't deter the bird of the day a single Curlew from flitting about the shallows on the main area and over into cover on Cosgrove Lake. Apparently there has been an influx inland in recent days and certainly a suprise, just my second record of the species at the site the other being a pair a couple of summers ago.
A lone Green Sandpiper was the only other wader of note whilst three Goosander (1m 2f) caught the eye on the silt beds. On the Ouse a Kingfisher flashed by. Where the work was carried out last week (see Dec 3rd) there is now a clear fast race for a couple of hundred metres.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Friday 3rd December 2010 - Afternoon
14:00 > 15:00
Cold, calm, westerly breeze, 3c.
Standing water virtually iced over all round. Two Common Buzzards watched over the little life that was moving in the freezing conditions hoping for an easy meal no doubt. Just eight Lapwing were all that caught the attention in this area.
Things a bit livlier on the River Ouse where a group of workmen were cutting down a couple of years of fallen tree and debris between the Iron Trunk and the entrance to Back Brook. Wading waist deep in the freezing water they're braver men than I but the work will probably have an effect on the regular Kingfishers on this stretch. Time will tell.
A single Kingfisher was seen further downstream as were a pair of Goosander battling the flow.
Cold, calm, westerly breeze, 3c.
Standing water virtually iced over all round. Two Common Buzzards watched over the little life that was moving in the freezing conditions hoping for an easy meal no doubt. Just eight Lapwing were all that caught the attention in this area.
Things a bit livlier on the River Ouse where a group of workmen were cutting down a couple of years of fallen tree and debris between the Iron Trunk and the entrance to Back Brook. Wading waist deep in the freezing water they're braver men than I but the work will probably have an effect on the regular Kingfishers on this stretch. Time will tell.
A single Kingfisher was seen further downstream as were a pair of Goosander battling the flow.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Tuesday 23rd November 2010
12:00 > 13:00
Cold clear day, some sun, 8c
A new bird for the site (for me anyway) in a pair of Marsh Tit hanging 'loosely' about with the mixed tit flock just west of the Viaduct. With reports of 'Willows' recently in the valley could this be the source?
On the main water itself not a lot, the highlight being a pair of Shoveler the only wildfowl present. A dozen or so Lapwing could be found as could the resident Green Sandpiper but bar a handful of gulls that was it.
A walk along the river found at least two, quite probably three, Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail.
Over on the Cosgrove waters more in the way of ducks with a mixture of Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Coot and a handful of Great Crested Grebe alongside a few Cormorant. Noticable on the banking was at least six Little Egret.
Both Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard over completed the day.
Cold clear day, some sun, 8c
A new bird for the site (for me anyway) in a pair of Marsh Tit hanging 'loosely' about with the mixed tit flock just west of the Viaduct. With reports of 'Willows' recently in the valley could this be the source?
On the main water itself not a lot, the highlight being a pair of Shoveler the only wildfowl present. A dozen or so Lapwing could be found as could the resident Green Sandpiper but bar a handful of gulls that was it.
A walk along the river found at least two, quite probably three, Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail.
Over on the Cosgrove waters more in the way of ducks with a mixture of Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Coot and a handful of Great Crested Grebe alongside a few Cormorant. Noticable on the banking was at least six Little Egret.
Both Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard over completed the day.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Friday 19th November 2010
14:30 > 16:00
Sunny, calm, 9c.
A walk around the perimeter on another typical Autumnal day. Still some warmth in the sun at times but once the mist starting to rise off the river and the lower fields there was a definite chill in the air.
As for the site the second phase of landscaping has started with the large deep pit due east of the first area being filled in with soil.
Birdwise not a lot, twenty or so Lapwing the same number of Black Headed Gulls and a couple of Common Gulls with a single Green Sandpiper flitting about was about all of note around the main body itself. Out on the mud Pied Wagtail numbers continue to build whilst a pair of Meadow Pipits were briefly seen.
On the River Ouse a confiding Kingfisher was watched for a while in the pools around Pebble Beach whilst over the other bank on one of the Cosgrove lakes, one that had building numbers last week (see below) just a handful of Great Crested Grebe remain.
As the light started to go a flock of five Little Egret flew over heading for their evening roost at Linford no doubt.
Sunny, calm, 9c.
A walk around the perimeter on another typical Autumnal day. Still some warmth in the sun at times but once the mist starting to rise off the river and the lower fields there was a definite chill in the air.
As for the site the second phase of landscaping has started with the large deep pit due east of the first area being filled in with soil.
Birdwise not a lot, twenty or so Lapwing the same number of Black Headed Gulls and a couple of Common Gulls with a single Green Sandpiper flitting about was about all of note around the main body itself. Out on the mud Pied Wagtail numbers continue to build whilst a pair of Meadow Pipits were briefly seen.
On the River Ouse a confiding Kingfisher was watched for a while in the pools around Pebble Beach whilst over the other bank on one of the Cosgrove lakes, one that had building numbers last week (see below) just a handful of Great Crested Grebe remain.
As the light started to go a flock of five Little Egret flew over heading for their evening roost at Linford no doubt.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Friday 12th November 2010
13:30 > 14:00
Cloud then heavyish rain, westerly wind 11c,
A brief visit before the clouds burst once more this week. The new workings are flooded well in some parts so either its collective rainfall or there is a leak in from Front Brook, the latter option could prove interesting to say the least one winter progresses. Elsewhere water slightly higher too.
Birdwise not too much about. A single Green Sandpiper and a Common Snipe over were the only real waders of note. Around fifty or so Lapwing on site and roughly the same number of gulls a handful being Common Gull the rest Black Headed.
In the hedgerows now large number of winter thrushes (Fieldfare & Redwing) and pockets through all during the visit so it looks like a real movement is underway. The same might be said of Woodpigeon as the winter flock that frequents the west end is buiding too, circ 150 birds so far.
Bird of the day though was a smart male Yellowhammer. Once the rain hammered (see what I did there) it down I took refuge under some of the trees along the Ridge. A flash of brightness in the bush to my left alerted me to this Yellowhammer no more than six foot away from me taking cover too and looking straight at me. He seemed more interested in me than I was of him and was not spooked at all. A surreal moment.
Cloud then heavyish rain, westerly wind 11c,
A brief visit before the clouds burst once more this week. The new workings are flooded well in some parts so either its collective rainfall or there is a leak in from Front Brook, the latter option could prove interesting to say the least one winter progresses. Elsewhere water slightly higher too.
Birdwise not too much about. A single Green Sandpiper and a Common Snipe over were the only real waders of note. Around fifty or so Lapwing on site and roughly the same number of gulls a handful being Common Gull the rest Black Headed.
In the hedgerows now large number of winter thrushes (Fieldfare & Redwing) and pockets through all during the visit so it looks like a real movement is underway. The same might be said of Woodpigeon as the winter flock that frequents the west end is buiding too, circ 150 birds so far.
Bird of the day though was a smart male Yellowhammer. Once the rain hammered (see what I did there) it down I took refuge under some of the trees along the Ridge. A flash of brightness in the bush to my left alerted me to this Yellowhammer no more than six foot away from me taking cover too and looking straight at me. He seemed more interested in me than I was of him and was not spooked at all. A surreal moment.
Wednesday 10th November 2010
14:00 > 15:30
Sun, cold NW wind. 8c
An afternoon stroll around the site with a first chance to have a look at what was on the now quiet lakes at Cosgrove. Levels at the main part of the site are higher, with some new areas flooded and the existing area of water expanding daily it seems.
Birds of the day were a pair of Dunlin on the wader pool to the west. Also more Green Sandpipers now on site with at least four present possibly more.
A handful of Golden Plover could be found in amongst the eighty or so Lapwing dotted about the site. Five Little Egrets also potttered about in the shallows.
Along the River Ouse a Kingfisher and a multitude of Wrens (yes Rebecca, Jenny Wrens!) darted about. The Kingfisher looking for a settled spot now the level has risen and its usual pools part of the torrent after recent rain. Across the Ouse on the two Bucks lakes at Cosgrove the avian visitors are now starting to arrive now the human ones have headed home for the winter. Most noticable were thirty plus Cormorant out on the water but Pochard numbers are building including one bright headed male that may (or may not) have been a possible Red Crested though it was just out of range for a 100% definite ID. Small numbers of Tufted Duck and half a dozen Great Crested Grebe.
Away from the water singles of the trio of the most common birds of prey, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel hunted around the site while a good number of both Fieldfare and Redwing picked at the berry laden hedgerows.
And to cap the day a Spitfire flew over west as the light began to go. Rather apt given what week it is.
Sun, cold NW wind. 8c
An afternoon stroll around the site with a first chance to have a look at what was on the now quiet lakes at Cosgrove. Levels at the main part of the site are higher, with some new areas flooded and the existing area of water expanding daily it seems.
Birds of the day were a pair of Dunlin on the wader pool to the west. Also more Green Sandpipers now on site with at least four present possibly more.
A handful of Golden Plover could be found in amongst the eighty or so Lapwing dotted about the site. Five Little Egrets also potttered about in the shallows.
Along the River Ouse a Kingfisher and a multitude of Wrens (yes Rebecca, Jenny Wrens!) darted about. The Kingfisher looking for a settled spot now the level has risen and its usual pools part of the torrent after recent rain. Across the Ouse on the two Bucks lakes at Cosgrove the avian visitors are now starting to arrive now the human ones have headed home for the winter. Most noticable were thirty plus Cormorant out on the water but Pochard numbers are building including one bright headed male that may (or may not) have been a possible Red Crested though it was just out of range for a 100% definite ID. Small numbers of Tufted Duck and half a dozen Great Crested Grebe.
Away from the water singles of the trio of the most common birds of prey, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel hunted around the site while a good number of both Fieldfare and Redwing picked at the berry laden hedgerows.
And to cap the day a Spitfire flew over west as the light began to go. Rather apt given what week it is.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Cosgrove Park
Something I forgot to mention earlier. Now the summer season is over at Cosgrove Park the main lakes will be 'Caravanless' again now until Easter and therefore quiet and always worth a look especially for wildfowl over the winter. For you listers the clear lakes, i.e. those that have no caravans around them, are east of the River Tove so still in Bucks and are probably some of the most underwatched stretches of water in the county. Viewable easily from the riverside (Ouse) walk or scopable from the Ridge.
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