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House Sparrow
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Much like the previous Sunday, I struggled to get motivated to walk too far but was still somewhat keen to get out and about somewhere to do some birding. Although I had some success on the preceding 2 days, I didn't think there was too much likelihood of adding anything unusual as late February is a bit of a quiet period where most of the available birds have already been seen but the Spring migrants haven't yet arrived. Knowing that didn't really help with the motivation issue and it took me until 1150 before I actually headed outside.
Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, Herring Gull, Starling, Carrion Crow, Feral Pigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Robin provided a relatively steady stream of species as I headed for Clepington Road. Black Headed Gull and Jackdaw were then both added as I wandered along to Swannie Ponds for a look there. I suspect that all my good luck there has already been used up by running into the Ring Necked Duck but if I don't look, I certainly won't find anything. Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Mute Swan were all dotted around as were a few Herring Gulls and a larger number of Black Headed Gulls. One of the Coots was already constructing a nest among the rocks near the boating ramp.
In addition to the birds around on the water there were a few Magpies, a singing Goldcrest and a single flyover Pink Footed Goose noted before I set off for a look at Spring Grove in Baxter Park. The light was much better than the previous weekend's visit and there is almost always something to photograph there, so I was set for a spot of easy photography. There is always a chance of something a little out of the ordinary dropping in for a drink or a spot of bathing and I keep hoping for a Brambling or a Waxwing but I've had no luck with either so far. Things were steady rather than busy at the grove with Goldfinches, Greenfinch, Blue Tit and Blackbird all seen relatively quickly. Chaffinch and a few Redwings also put in an appearance though the latter quickly disappeared back into the tall trees nearby whereas Chaffinches continued to visit throughout my time there.
Dunnock, House Sparrow, Woodpigeon, Great Tit and Coal Tit all visited and a Robin showed nicely at times. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming in the trees a little to the south but I failed to find it. The Field Vole proved very elusive and wasn't seen at all. Long Tailed Tits flitted around, a Magpie dropped in briefly and the Dunnocks and House Sparrows continued to provide plenty of photo opportunities. A Song Thrush was added at around 1325. Around half an hour later a Stock Dove dropped in for a drink for a few seconds which was a welcome addition though I'd heard one 'singing' from the trees to the east a little earlier. A Grey Wagtail flew past but wasn't seen.
I decided to head back to Swannie Ponds for another look shortly after 1500. It was a very similar selection as had been there earlier in the day though I did manage to get a Common Gull this time. A young Herring Gull was ripping dried leaves (or seeds) off a plant on the island and at times seemed to be snipping the heads off the Daffodils which were yet to flower. I eventually headed for home around 1530 having managed to see or hear a total of 33 species. Somehow I'd also managed to take rather a lot of photos, of which quite a lot of them were pretty decent. A lot of the species that visit the grove are common garden birds often overlooked completely by most bird photographers. As I don't have a garden, I like to take the opportunities offered by these birds and have been rewarded with some nice photos along the way.
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Mute Swan
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| Coot |
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Pink Footed Goose
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Coal Tit
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| Chaffinch |
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| Blackbird |
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House Sparrow
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Blue Tit
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Fly sp.
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Stock Dove
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| Magpie |
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| Woodpigeon |
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House Sparrow
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| Greenfinch |
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| Dunnock |
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| Robin |
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| Chaffinch |
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Long Tailed Tit
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| Moorhen |
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Carrion Crow
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Herring Gull
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Herring Gull
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Black Headed Gull
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Birds - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Coot, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pink Footed Goose, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Wren.
