It will be no surprise to anyone to know that it has been more of the same over the past week on the birding front with my only birding taking place on my way to and from work as with the rest of March. However, the first signs of Spring (and still some lingering hints of winter) are now beginning to appear bringing some subtle changes to the mix of species I can hope to see.
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| Great Spotted Woodpecker |
The main highlights were a Chiffchaff singing on the 26th which required a slight detour to see but was worth the time taken as it added another species to the 'commute list'. A few Redwings lingered too. The 27th added another Great Spotted Woodpecker as well as another Grey Wagtail plus a Sparrowhawk. Monday the 30th brought another Spring migrant with a single Meadow Pipit calling as it flew over not long after I'd left the house. A good view of a low flying Sparrowhawk over Brantwood Avenue added to the morning's list and a rather higher flying Sparrowhawk was seen later in the day over Ancrum Road. Two Buzzards were also seen above Balgay Hill in the afternoon sunshine. On the 31st the main highlight was a pair of mating Coal Tits. A trio of Meadow Pipits on the move were also noted.
In addition I had a nice catch-up with Lainy and Adam McCormack on Monday when they stopped their car as I took a short-cut down a quiet street. It was good to be able to talk birds with actual birders face to face (though from a distance) and the rain shower that accompanied me home from there was no big deal - though a hat would've been a bit helpful for staying a bit drier. The 'new' Meadow Pipit and Chiffchaff take the running total to 42 species. Swallow and maybe Blackcap are likely next, though there is an outside chance of an Osprey, Wheatear or a Sand Martin. Photos are from 'archives'.
Thursday 26th March - 24 species seen - Blackbird, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal
Tit, Common Gull, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Herring
Gull, House Sparrow, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie,
Oystercatcher, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush,
Starling, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Friday 27th March - 22 species - Blackbird, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Herring
Gull, House Sparrow, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie,
Oystercatcher, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Woodpigeon.
Mammals seen - Grey Squirrel.
Monday 30th March - 25 species - Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Herring
Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Magpie,
Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush,
Sparrowhawk, Starling, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Tuesday 31st March - 24 species - Blackbird, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal
Tit, Common Gull, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Herring
Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie,
Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Feral Pigeon,
Starling, Woodpigeon.
Mammals seen - Grey Squirrel.
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Chaffinch |
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| Feral Pigeon |
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| House Sparrow |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Song Thrush |
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| Jackdaw |
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| Carrion Crow & Buzzard |
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| Starling |
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| Blackbird |
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| Goldfinch |
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| House Sparrow |
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| Grey Wagtail |
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| Great Tit |
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| Magpie |
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| Herring Gull |
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| Lesser Black Backed Gull |
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| Long Tailed Tit |
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| Grey Squirrel |
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| Blue Tit |
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| Oystercatcher |
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| Bullfinch |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Carrion Crow |
Full list - 42 species - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion
Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal
Tit, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Curlew, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch,
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Herring
Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed
Tit, Magpie,
Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Oystercatcher, Peregrine, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed
Goose, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush,
Sparrowhawk, Starling, Treecreeper, Whooper Swan, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Mammals seen - Grey Squirrel.
