The first hints of spring added some interest to an otherwise fairly quiet WeBS count at White Sands this morning, which also included the added bonus of watching three different foxes out on the prowl.Indications that the sap is starting to rise included a pair of Ravens busy displaying over the power station, the first singing Skylarks of the year and the tentative appearance of the first flowers on the gorse bushes.
Flintshire seems to be the Brambling capital of the UK at present and there were even more today with around ten in a larger flock of Chaffinch that were busy bouncing around from tree to marsh to tree.
It was noticeable today how the recent cold weather has affected the Little Egret and Grey Heron numbers. Typically I record at least a score of both these species, but today I was restricted to a distant view of one Egret.
I hope that most of the birds have simply moved to more favourable feeding areas, but the freezing temperatures must have claimed a fair few victims too – and talking of victims, the Peregrines have obviously been enjoying some success with the local Woodpigeon population in recent days as the path was littered with their remains.
White Sands WeBS count 17.01.10
Wigeon 119
Teal 61
Shelduck 56
Mallard 5
Greylag Goose 8
Canada Goose 137
Mute Swan 47
Whooper Swan 8 (All adults)
Cormorant 1
Little Egret 1
Redshank 75
Black-tailed Godwit 25
Curlew 15
Lapwing 5
Plus, 10+ Brambling, 2 Raven and 1 adult female Hen Harrier
Shotwick Fields 17.01.10
Bewick’s Swan 5
Whooper Swan 5 (2 adults, 3 juveniles)
Until later.
3 comments:
Hi Paul,
A GOOD HATRICK OF RARE BIRDS.
As you already know I had a good birding day yesterday with Msrs SS,007 and DJ.
Dipped on Woodlarks but SS reckoned he had three fly over him
that dropped into a field but not to be seen again.
Next up was Hawfinches @ Llanbedr-y-cennin.
Over the years I have been to this place only to dip everytime.
Glad to say though this time we had crackin views through SS's telescope.(6th time lucky)
Next was a visit to Lligwy beach on Anglesey to see the Bonaparts gull.
On the way there - by Conway - DJ spotted a Buzzard over the woods.
On closer inspection we suddenly realised it was a Red Kite.
DJ screeched to a halt on a busy main road and we all got out to look.
Again we got crackin views of this bird with its graceful flight pattern.
We got to Lligwy beach fairly quickly as DJ fancies himself as a rally driver!!(did not do much for my heart though)
After scanning the gulls on the beach we could not determine which gull could be the Bonaparts gull.
We went on to do some sea watching.
2 x Shags were seen.
1 x Great Northern Diver
1 x Great Crested Grebe
2 x Shearwaters(not sure which)
2 x Divers(again not sure which)
also distant good flock of ducks
and a couple of mad Kayak enthusiasts.
007 said we were not there to sea watch so I reverted to looking at the gulls.
I saw a smaller dainty bird with a black bill and put the other birdwatchers on to it.
007 confirmed along with SS & DJ
that it was the Bonaparts gull.
We obtained fantastic views.
It had the chracteristic pink legs
and was a lot smaller (almost Tern like) than the Black Headed gulls.
PS - Bonaparts gull gets its name from:-
Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte an eminent zoologist who was a nephew of the great Napoleon Bonaparte.
We also had a gull that had blue/grey legs about the size of a black headed gull - any ideas??
What a great day.
My thanks to Rally DJ,Army Vauxhall 007
and Stanley Cuckoo Skelton.
Keith
Sounds like an excellent day Keith - shame about the Woodlarks though.
I am going to try for the Bonaparte's Gull again this week - hopefully it will be second time lucky...
Great birds in North Wales at the moment - I bet a few people have done the Woodlark/Hawfinch/Bonaparte's Gull trip.
Cheers, Paul.
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