Here they come!

A compilation of the last seven days and the birds are arriving in big numbers.

 Still lots of Whoopers around as well as Wigeon and Teal.

 Shelduck numbers good.

 Over 25 Snipe hiding at the foot of the reeds (but have always got one eye out!)

 Nice to see lots of Song Thrush in the valley most i have seen for a long time.

 7 Red Kites performing aerial combats with Buzzards.

 Redshank Raft.

 Lots of Curlew arriving.

 Little grebe's a plenty.

 Gadwal numbers good.

 Herons are also in good number.

 Plenty of Pochard.

and Reed bunts pairing up.

its all getting very interesting.

First Skylark of the year.

Spring is in the air,and a weekend of firsts.
Snowdrops,Aconites,Song Thrush,Skylark,but no LEO.

30+ Pochard on the derwent.

Started with a walk around the patch, loads of Robins,Wrens,Great tits,Blue tits, and a very nice surprise a Skylark singing its head off.

But Dandelions in full bloom!!! whats the weather doing?

Caught site of something unusual just past the bridge at Bubwith but did not think anything of it.(more later)

Lots of Wigeon , Teal, Shovelor and Shelduck.

Watch out for the tiles on the church at Aughton.

 Plenty of Teal about.

 7 Yellow hammers looking for food.

 Lots of Robins laying out the territory rules.

Recent storm damage on the church.

Also had at least 4 separate Song Thrush,Dunnock,Wren,Chaffinch,Fieldfare.Magpie,Kestrel,and all the usual stuff.

Too windy?

First time out for a few weeks and the river level has certainly risen.
High gusting winds seem to prevent many birds from showing their faces,but never one to give in it was best foot forward and a quick walk around the village.

Not much about in the fields with the exception of corvids and pigeons.
Moved on to the North duff carrs wind now stronger than ever but was greeted by two hungry Bullfinch.
(pic not great)

 Valley very water heavy but combined with the rain and the sun it still produces some stunning light.

Huge flock of mixed Golden Plover and lapwings easily 1000+birds. Redshank, Pintail, Shovelor,Teal all present in good numbers.

Whoopers feeding in the surrounding fields and good numbers of Snipe were also seen.
Back for more soon.

If our birds are few and far between and you fancy something a bit different have a look at this.....
http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/38/FeederWatch_Cam/

well worth a look. (but remember the time difference.)

H2O!

Just a brief update on the water levels at the LDV as you can see from the pics the water level is steadily rising. plenty of Teal,Wigeon,Pintail,Ruff,Dunlin,Golden plover,Lapwing and about 35+ Whoopers. Fingers crossed for a Bittern.

Pampered Sparrows.

After spending most of the morning watching my ever growing flock of House and Tree sparrows eating me out of house and home (about 50 birds) I decided to have a wander around the local lanes.

It is nice to see Song thrush doing well had at least 5 separate birds this weekend. Had a look down by the bridge the scene of last nights serious accident.

 Managed to disturb this Reed Bunting but he was happy to pose for a few shots.

 Looks like a young Dunnock.

Decided to try and get down by the river as i could hear a few interesting calls, the wigeon were busy feeding and preening but they did not hang around as a flock of Teal shot past.

 Having heard this Redshank calling i managed to get close enough for a half decent snap.

 Moved onto some of the backlanes and was rewarded with a busy but noisy Wren,and yet another song thrush. Fielfare and Redwings still feeding and plenty of Pheasant and Partridge strutting around.

Lots of Chaffinch and some huge Gulls drifting through the valley. Carried on and came across the larger than normal flock of Whoopers easily 50+ was only 35 last week. Bewicks?

 Lapwing Dunlin and Ruff all visible and a good size flock of Golden Plover flew through.

Water levels still low for the time of year but next weeks forecast is pretty grim so we shall see what that brings in.

Steady start part two

Still lots of Fieldfare and Redwing about as well as all the usual Pheasants Corvids and Pigeons.

Fielfare on the lookout never seem able to get close to these birds  but they soon strip the berries.

Has anyone else noticed the huge rise in Robin numbers?

 Took me more than Half an hour to get anywhere near this (one of four) male finches feeding on the seeds. Then i noticed this corvid actually attacking this poor Heron.

 Red leg Partridge keeping a low profile.

And I only put this in to remind me to comment on the huge numbers of Blackbirds that seem to have arrived.

 Still 30-40 Whoopers in the valley and I have been informed that there are at least 4 Bewicks to the North of the County maybe they will be here in the next few days!! Here's hoping.

Steady start to 2014

Best wishes and and a happy new year to all followers of my blog.

Steady start so far with the water levels up and down like a yo-yo.

 Plenty of Pintail, Dunlin and Ruff as well as the usual Greylags and Canada Geese, also nice to see half a dozen Pink foots amongst the flocks.

Then not so good... This was a not so happy new year for this poor victim. Im not even sure what it is and for all sorts of reasons this is the closest i could get. Anyone got any ideas?