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House Sparrow
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By the time I eventually got out my bed on Wednesday, I didn't really feel like doing any birding. The weather forecast was for rain from around 1400. The sky was very grey and things didn't look particularly promising even if I could get motivated to actually go anywhere. Knowing that a second day stuck in the house following on from the previous day's wet weather keeping me indoors was not ideal I decided to head out for a quick look around before the rain arrived. I decided to try to see or hear a total of 30 species. If nothing else I would get a bit of fresh air and some exercise.
It was just before 1145 when I made it out the door. Blackbird, Blue Tit, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon were all active in my street but it took a few minutes walk before I found anything else. Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Starling, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest and Magpie were found in the vicinity of the Dura Street car park. I was able to add a Pied Wagtail at the roadside by Morgan Academy.
It was just before noon when I reached Swannie Ponds. There was still some ice around but it was mostly water again. Black Headed Gulls, a few Common Gulls, Herring Gulls, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, a few Goosander, Moorhens and Coot were all around. After about 15 minutes I decided to head down to Baxter Park to check Spring Grove. Although the light was very poor I knew I would get at least a few more species and some photo opportunities.
I added Coal Tit in trees near the gate into the park. A flock of Goldfinches was in the treetops and a flock of Long Tailed Tits were very vocal lower down. Chaffinch, Redwing, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock and Blackbird were all seen coming and going along with a small flock of House Sparrows also much in evidence. I had a very brief view of a Field Vole but a dog off the lead wandered into the grove through the broken section of fence and the owner running down to retrieve it and it disappeared again.
A Stock Dove was calling from the trees nearby and a single Siskin called as it flew over. A male Greenfinch dropped in for a drink. A Grey Squirrel was seen at the base of a nearby tree. A Song Thrush picked around among the leaf litter near the Squirrel. I heard the Great Spotted Woodpecker calling from somewhere nearby and a little later it flew right over the grove. I contemplated heading down to City Quay but the sky was looking a bit darker and a quick check of my RainToday app suggested that rain was fairly imminent. I added a Wren before heading homewards having managed a total of 34 species, slightly more than expected. Although the photos I did manage to get were not overly great it was definitely beneficial to get out the house for a wee while.
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Common Gull
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| Goosander |
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Black Headed Gull (J0214)
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| Goosander |
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| Magpie |
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| Dunnock |
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House Sparrow
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| Robin |
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| Blackbird |
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| Robin |
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Grey Squirrel
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Song Thrush
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Blue Tit
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House Sparrow
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| Wren |
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House Sparrow
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| Goldfinch |
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| Chaffinch |
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Long Tailed Tit
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Birds - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Coot, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Siskin, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Mammals - Field Vole, Grey Squirrel.
