Wednesday, November 28, 2012
November 2012 - Sparrowhawk in the garden!
Wednesday 27th: For the last few weeks, the garden has been empty of the usual squadron of House Sparrows and Starlings have been almost nonexistent, except for the odd one or two. On talking to others, this could be due to the time of year. But the upside of this is that we are seeing more Coal, Blue and Great Tits visiting the feeders. Even the Grey Wagtail has been hanging around the garden and taking live mealworms. Of course there could be another reason why the garden is quiet: regular visits by the local Sparrowhawk. We don't always see her, but she is around. Today I came home from running an errand at lunchtime and Mel called down; "the Sparrowhawk is here!". Looking out the window, there she was on her usual perch over the pond, with a fresh kill. We couldn't tell for sure what it was but it may have been a House Sparrow. The raptor didn't even seem too bothered that we were at the back door with binoculars and camera. She continued to feed on the carcass, and staying to digest her meal for some 15 minutes.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
October 2012 - Grey Wagtail returns while Sparrowhawk kills Starling in the garden.
Saturday 27th: Yesterday, the Grey Wagtail returned to our garden on the first cold day of this autumn. Last night or very early this morning, we had a light dusting of snow. Though it was here a couple of weeks ago for one day, it had not stayed.
Today, it is back for a second day on and around the pond. The Wagtail will still come to the back door for live mealworms, still being harassed by the local Robin. After extensive research, Mel and I think that this Wagtail is a second-year bird. Last autumn from the photos we took at the time, it is quite clearly a juvenile bird.
But now, it has moulted and has more distinctive yellow feathers on its underparts. A male, it does not have the distinctive black bib until next spring and the breeding season. That's of course, if it makes it to Spring! Though it has gained more experience of the dangers in the natural world (it now freezes when an alarm call goes out by the Blackbirds or Sparrows) the Wagtail still has to contend with the daily danger from the local Sparrowhawk!
And this was readily apparent this morning. The Wagtail was on the pond wall when the Sparrowhawk grabbed a Starling from within the conifers. The photos and especially the movie below show the graphic detail of a Sparrowhawk kill. The original commentary by us (as it happened and the sound of the distressed Starling has been replaced by classical music so as not to offend or upset anyone. If you think the video would disturb you, don't watch it!
As I write this at 11:30am, the Sparrowhawk is still here in the back garden, on the arch (its favourite plucking post) still plucking and eating the Starling. We did hear the Grey Wagtail flyover some minutes ago but I shouldn't think it will return until the danger has gone. Apart from the Sparrowhawk, the garden is, as you would expect, deserted of wildlife.
Footnote:The Grey Wagtail, I should say, like other birds, vacated the area and didn't return for the rest of the day. Though on Sunday 28th, the Wagtail spent most of the day here!
Today, it is back for a second day on and around the pond. The Wagtail will still come to the back door for live mealworms, still being harassed by the local Robin. After extensive research, Mel and I think that this Wagtail is a second-year bird. Last autumn from the photos we took at the time, it is quite clearly a juvenile bird.
But now, it has moulted and has more distinctive yellow feathers on its underparts. A male, it does not have the distinctive black bib until next spring and the breeding season. That's of course, if it makes it to Spring! Though it has gained more experience of the dangers in the natural world (it now freezes when an alarm call goes out by the Blackbirds or Sparrows) the Wagtail still has to contend with the daily danger from the local Sparrowhawk!
And this was readily apparent this morning. The Wagtail was on the pond wall when the Sparrowhawk grabbed a Starling from within the conifers. The photos and especially the movie below show the graphic detail of a Sparrowhawk kill. The original commentary by us (as it happened and the sound of the distressed Starling has been replaced by classical music so as not to offend or upset anyone. If you think the video would disturb you, don't watch it!
As I write this at 11:30am, the Sparrowhawk is still here in the back garden, on the arch (its favourite plucking post) still plucking and eating the Starling. We did hear the Grey Wagtail flyover some minutes ago but I shouldn't think it will return until the danger has gone. Apart from the Sparrowhawk, the garden is, as you would expect, deserted of wildlife.
Footnote:The Grey Wagtail, I should say, like other birds, vacated the area and didn't return for the rest of the day. Though on Sunday 28th, the Wagtail spent most of the day here!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
May 2012 - Lakeside & other Birds
Tuesday 29th: After finishing at work, a short drive down the road to Lakeside to put my camera through some more tests. Yes, another lovely warm evening. People around, enjoying the late afternoon sun.
Getting home I took advantage of the sunny and warm evening by sitting in the garden. In the conifers a few feet away was perched one of the Blackbird fledglings that had hatched a couple of weeks earlier. It was waiting to be fed by the male and in between feeds would close its eyes for a moments rest.
Sunday 27th: An early morning midday to Hatfield Moor (North) to test my new camera. Warm day with clear blue sky - great to be out in the countryside! While driving down the narrow country lane, between farms, several Turkeys jumped out in front of the car forcing me to slam on the anchors! Curious, a couple wandered straight towards the car, peering at me all the while! Then joined by others, they wandered into the adjacent ploughed field. This is the first encounter with wild Turkeys that I have experienced. Usually they are on my plate!
Friday 25th: The female Blackbird is not at all worried by the presence of us in the kitchen - she is too trusting! Both Mel and I can get to almost touching distance of her! In fact she tends to stand around if the bowl is empty and flick her wings in order to get our attention.
There's all sorts of wildlife in the garden. This green Weevil with orange legs provided a test of close (macro) photography by Mel.
Wednesday 23rd: Occasionally, a passing Greenfinch will stop off in our garden - probably on it's way to Sandra's!!
Tuesday 22nd: The Blackbirds and House Sparrows are regularly coming into the kitchen for live mealworms throughout the day. The male Blackbird predominately collects a beak full and feeds the fledling Blackbirds,while the female mainly feeds herself! The birds have young to feed and are not at all shy about dashing in to get a beak full of mealworms.
There are still plenty of Frogs in the garden. Most are in and around the pond as is the one below.
Saturday 12th: Mel and I went over to Elizabeth's house to do some gardening and all the time in the front, this cheeky Robin would nip in between Mel and her trowel to grab a tasty morsel. A very confident Robin, it wasn't put off by the constant movement of us and noise!
This is a photo of contemplation. The Sikh is sat on the pebble beach communing with nature.
A Coot on her nest, resting in the warm sunshine.
A Black-headed Gull, unusually resting and quiet!
Great-crested Grebes often take to Donny Lakeside.
Suspect that this is a Lesser Black-backed Gull.
We get our far share of Herring Gulls too.
Close by, a clutch of Mallard duckings explored a sheltered cove under the watchful eyes of the parent Mallards.
Getting home I took advantage of the sunny and warm evening by sitting in the garden. In the conifers a few feet away was perched one of the Blackbird fledglings that had hatched a couple of weeks earlier. It was waiting to be fed by the male and in between feeds would close its eyes for a moments rest.
Sunday 27th: An early morning midday to Hatfield Moor (North) to test my new camera. Warm day with clear blue sky - great to be out in the countryside! While driving down the narrow country lane, between farms, several Turkeys jumped out in front of the car forcing me to slam on the anchors! Curious, a couple wandered straight towards the car, peering at me all the while! Then joined by others, they wandered into the adjacent ploughed field. This is the first encounter with wild Turkeys that I have experienced. Usually they are on my plate!
Friday 25th: The female Blackbird is not at all worried by the presence of us in the kitchen - she is too trusting! Both Mel and I can get to almost touching distance of her! In fact she tends to stand around if the bowl is empty and flick her wings in order to get our attention.
There's all sorts of wildlife in the garden. This green Weevil with orange legs provided a test of close (macro) photography by Mel.
Wednesday 23rd: Occasionally, a passing Greenfinch will stop off in our garden - probably on it's way to Sandra's!!
Tuesday 22nd: The Blackbirds and House Sparrows are regularly coming into the kitchen for live mealworms throughout the day. The male Blackbird predominately collects a beak full and feeds the fledling Blackbirds,while the female mainly feeds herself! The birds have young to feed and are not at all shy about dashing in to get a beak full of mealworms.
Saturday 12th: Mel and I went over to Elizabeth's house to do some gardening and all the time in the front, this cheeky Robin would nip in between Mel and her trowel to grab a tasty morsel. A very confident Robin, it wasn't put off by the constant movement of us and noise!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
October 2012 - Grey Wagtail returns
Thursday 4th: This morning at 10am, I received a call from home; "guess who's returned to the garden...The Grey Wagtail!" Mels enthusiastic tones called. Wow! This is the first day (that we know of), that a Grey Wagtail has been in our garden since last February 25th. However, this bird is not just any Grey Wagtail, but the very same bird that spent last winter in our garden. We know this because when Mel called to it from the back door, it flew over to her from the pond to take some live mealworms that Mel had thrown onto the patio! Now a new bird would not be so trusting or acquainted to this procedure. Last Winter, the Grey Wagtail had gotten trusting of Mels call and by February last, it was stepping onto the door step to eat mealworms. Now, the resident Robin, Blackbird and Starlings have noticed the brightly coloured interloper (who we hope will frequent our garden this autumn and winter) and try to scare it off when it gets some mealworms. The Robin in particular seems a bit "miffed" at the appearance of a rival and we have some video of the Robin flying at the Grey Wagtail in an effort to chase it off. Let's hope the Wagtail frequents the garden for this autumn and winter.
House Sparrows as always are numerous in the garden.
The "miffed" Robin.
Amongst the birds visiting the garden today were a pair of Coal Tits. Above is a snap of a fast moving Coal Tit.
And finally...in true "Autumn-watch" tradition...Hedgehog poo! We know that Hedgehogs have been visiting the garden on and off for the past few months. We have even seen a couple. Now they are leaving poo, so must be spending a good while in the garden when they visit. We have two dishes of water always out for the birds and we have seen a Cat drink water too so it is logical to assume that Hedgehogs drink water as well. This must be what attracts them to our garden.
Never leave milk for Hedgehogs!
If you can stand it, examine the photo of the poo closely and you will see Beetle cases, bird seed and other bits that Hedgehogs will eat. Hedgehogs are increasingly becoming scarce, so please if you can, make your gardens "Hedgehog Friendly" and if you live close to the countryside or indeed in the countryside, you are sure to attract a Hedgehog or two.
Please drive responsibly along countryside lanes and town roads at night.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
May 2011 - WWT Slimbridge (part 2) - Swans
Wednesday 4th May: So, part 2, the Swans. Most of these are captive birds, the exceptions being the Bewick, Whooper and Mute Swans, the later, of which as in most areas, are resident year round. I didn't see any Whooper Swans (too late in the year, most would have flown back to their summer breeding grounds), but there were still two Bewick's Swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) resident. What a fabulous Swan they are! Sir Peter Scott, who founded Slimbridge noted that the same Bewicks were returning year after year and one in particular, kept returning to Slimbridge for 23 consecutive years! They will fly the 2,500 miles from Siberian tundra to western Europe and the Far East for the Winter. Bewick's Swans all have individual beak markings and this is how to distinguish individuals apart.
Bewick Swans
The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is native to Australia. Most are kept in collections within this country and it is likely to turn up almost anywhere in the UK as an escapee. Here in Yorkshire the other year, I encountered 4 on the local lake! Only the one seen here in Slimbridge. Smaller than a Mute Swan, they will latch onto a flock for company.
Black Swan
The Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) is the largest waterfowl native to South America. Unusual to look at and like the Black and Mute Swans, mostly silent. Occurs mostly in Chile, Patagonia and the Falkland Islands,. It will migrate to warmer climes like Brazil during the Southern winter.
Black-necked Swan
The smallest of swans, the Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) is a native of South America and a frequent visitor to the Falkland Islands.
Coscoroba Swan
The largest of North American waterfowl and the largest of waterfowl on Earth, the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is resident throughout much of its range in the US, but migratory in other parts. Its was reduced to near extinction by the early 20th century, but it is relatively common today. Considered to be a relative of the Whooper Swan. Standing just a few feet from this Swan, it truly is a large creature!
Trumpeter Swans
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