The last day of February and our Scandinavian visitors gathered in large numbers to feast on the riverside before setting off on the long flight back to the north. Their numbers were remarkable for this location.
Heavy rainfall overnight again had left the already saturated ground boggy - but the sky was clear, the sun warm and no need for birds to search for shelter from gales.
Willow catkins after the rain, on a willow leaning over the river.
The river had risen again and was flowing fast and muddy but had not burst its banks. Out on the riverside I immediately became aware of a massive chorus of birds - large numbers in thickets, hedgerows and trees along the river course.
The first bird I saw was a redwing and most of the singing came from a large flock ranging along the Blackthorn thickets, still carrying plenty of sloes on the outer branches; these fruits were small and dried out as all the most luscious ones had been eaten long ago. The voices of numerous goldfinches gathered in some ivy-covered branches added to the chorus. A transient addition to the chorus came from a group of linnets flying over and a tightly knit flock of starlings dispersed onto thickets and started individual songs. Robins were singing - still very visible - whilst house sparrows could be heard in the hedges.
Two nuthatches were seen but remained silent - a pair not wanting to attract attention whilst working on the entrance to their nest.
Quiet blackbirds mingled with the redwing in numbers that indicated that these were migrants too, also feeding up ready for departure north, together with a few visiting song thrushes. Our own local song thrushes have been singing for a long time now, since November.
Dunnocks, which don't usually move very far from their local patch, were singing from high perches and numerous wrens could be heard along the banks and seen flying very low across the water. Blue and great tits were active and a few chaffinches and greenfinches moved amongst the branches. A couple of magpies were seen carrying long sticks with which to refurbish their storm-damaged nests - there's certainly no shortage of nest materials this year. A few carrion crows and jackdaws were also seen in the air and on the ground feeding.
Sentinel woodpigeons perched on high branches guarded the feeding redwing and every few seconds loud yaffles could be heard - possibly a dispute between two green woodpeckers, one in the field and another in an old oak, probably defending its nest site - they were very persistent, calling without a break but its very good to hear them doing well despite the upheaval of earth-moving nearby.
The river had risen again and was flowing fast and muddy but had not burst its banks. Out on the riverside I immediately became aware of a massive chorus of birds - large numbers in thickets, hedgerows and trees along the river course.
The first bird I saw was a redwing and most of the singing came from a large flock ranging along the Blackthorn thickets, still carrying plenty of sloes on the outer branches; these fruits were small and dried out as all the most luscious ones had been eaten long ago. The voices of numerous goldfinches gathered in some ivy-covered branches added to the chorus. A transient addition to the chorus came from a group of linnets flying over and a tightly knit flock of starlings dispersed onto thickets and started individual songs. Robins were singing - still very visible - whilst house sparrows could be heard in the hedges.
Two nuthatches were seen but remained silent - a pair not wanting to attract attention whilst working on the entrance to their nest.
Quiet blackbirds mingled with the redwing in numbers that indicated that these were migrants too, also feeding up ready for departure north, together with a few visiting song thrushes. Our own local song thrushes have been singing for a long time now, since November.
Dunnocks, which don't usually move very far from their local patch, were singing from high perches and numerous wrens could be heard along the banks and seen flying very low across the water. Blue and great tits were active and a few chaffinches and greenfinches moved amongst the branches. A couple of magpies were seen carrying long sticks with which to refurbish their storm-damaged nests - there's certainly no shortage of nest materials this year. A few carrion crows and jackdaws were also seen in the air and on the ground feeding.
Sentinel woodpigeons perched on high branches guarded the feeding redwing and every few seconds loud yaffles could be heard - possibly a dispute between two green woodpeckers, one in the field and another in an old oak, probably defending its nest site - they were very persistent, calling without a break but its very good to hear them doing well despite the upheaval of earth-moving nearby.
Clouds forming fast as the sun warmed up the saturated earth
Large tall cumulus clouds had started to form, the warming air producing thermals - ideal soaring conditions for buzzards. Three buzzards appeared together, two obviously a pair displaying - and the third gliding in circles, concentrating on the ground below. Their calls could be heard clearly over the soaked earth. Today the crows had left them alone in their own airspace.
