Winter Thrush Spectacular

Due to the weather and not being able to go ringing again today, me, my mum and my dad (brother at a sleep over) all decided to go for a walk on my local patch. Before even travelling a 100 metres a huge flock of a mixture of birds took off from the fields including a flock of 100+ Redwing, a flock of 100+ Fieldfare, at least 50 Linnet and about 50 Starling. It wasn't us that originally spooked the birds; in fact a large female Sparrowhawk sped underneath the commotion, but didn't get her lunch. 

Fieldfare

The Fieldfares seemed to be feasting on the worms, getting a good meal out of them, especially this one! 

The Fieldfare and the giant worm!

 It wasn't just the Fieldfares out hunting in the rain, plenty of Redwing were having a good go at feeding as well. Linnets were also scattered across the field in separate little flocks panicking every time something bigger than them flew by (notice the Linnets in front of the Redwing).

Redwing and Linnets

My mum wanted some bread to feed the ducks, however every time we tried to chuck some bread into the river the wind blew straight back into our faces and onto the path making a perfect lunch for this Carrion Crow. It followed us for quite a way down the path, but maybe because I was leaving a little trail of bread for it.

 On the far side of the river bank were some Long Tailed Tits feeding gracefully among the trees (one of my dads favorite birds).

Long Tailed Tit

 The heronry had a little bit of damage done to it from that awful storm on Wednesday night, adults were  flying back and to with large sticks to make repairs, but overall it is still doing well. 

Heronry

Now speaking of nests, I came across a half built Magpie nest. The male and female were continuously flying back and to to the nest with sticks.

Magpie nest

The farmers sheep were out in the field joined by lots of Black Headed Gulls (some with a completely black head) this particular sheep went for a drink in the river.

 As the rain picked up we started to head back and before long came across this Little Grebe floating  effortlessly across the water. On the same stretch of water a very dull Kingfisher flew by squealing in flight.

Little Grebe

 The main purpose of the walk was yes to enjoy all the countryside and wildlife, but we were also doing a patch count; all together counting 31 individual species of bird, a perfect day.

The tree tunnel

The full list of sightings today was BHG, Fieldfare, Redwing, Linnets, Pied Wagtail, Sprawk, Magpie, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Little Grebe,Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Buzzard, Blackbird, Chaffinch, GSW, Nuthatch, Wood Pigeon, Heron, Jackdaw, Pheasant, Kingfisher, Goldfinch, Siskin and Starling.

By the way there will be a blog tomorrow about my  first experiences with my new trail cam that I got for my birthday (full HD) I can't wait.

Wild Bird Wednesday