Changing times

Garden ringing comes to an end with the advent of May and the start of the main part of the breeding season. All the winter and passage migrants have now left us. This doesn't mean that there is no need to put the nets out from time to time, as there will be young birds to ring at some time or other. These could well form next year's breeding stock.

Instead, we have to get "on our bike" during the summer months and visit different habitats in the surrounding area. At the moment, I have three such habitats in mind that are calling for my attention. First, there is the water meadows and 'river' at the edge of the village to which we have had access for a couple of summers already. This is good Phylloscopus  territory and where I can, on a good day, catch Kingfisher and Dipper and, maybe, a Sandpiper. Secondly, I have negotiated access to a couple of woods and a bit of parkland on the edge of Exmoor that may be just right for Sylvia warblers, tits and finches. There is potential here to put up some boxes for Pied Flycatchers.

Moon rise and the sun about to follow 

Today, I set the alarm and went to the third habitat - reed fen. This was an exploratory visit (as will be the next few), partially because the site is so vast and recovering from a major "makeover". The object of this exercise will be to look at the relative abundance, productivity and survival of the four main breeding species found on the site, namely Cetti's, Sedge and Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting. Visits will be confined to the four summer months, just like the more regulated Constant Effort Scheme run by the BTO. There are a couple of hoops to jump through before ringing can go ahead.

It was early doors when I arrived, the crescent moon was up but the sun was still rubbing its eyes and the stars were visible. This is usually the best time to get an indication of what birds are nesting where. I was amazed at the amount of low level fog and mist that suddenly appeared and it hung about for a while. This hampered me in looking for potential net sites; I deferred this until the sun was rising higher in the sky . It's not the sort of site to go wandering about on your own without prior knowledge, as "the pits" have steep sides and are ca. 10' deep.  

Nevertheless, as well as the dawn chorus to listen to, I did have the pleasure of watching a Common Whitethroat drag long bents (dry grass) across a rhyne to its nest in the stump of a coppiced Willow as I waited at the car. Later, I also stood and watched a female Reed Warbler collect the "fluff" from the head of a Reedmace (False Bullrush) and take it to her chosen site in a bank of Sedge to line her nest. On leaving, I was also privvy to a male Cuckoo, my first of the year. The list of species got ever longer as time went by and the sun burnt off the mist completely to leave a fine, warm day, if a little humid.

Ringing is on hold now for ten days or so; "the management" is treating me to some narrow-gauge railway experiences elsewhere. You'll have to wait until the end of the month for more of my drivel, I'm afraid.

Apologies for the poor photo - I didn't realise (in the dark) that the (old) camera was not on the right settings

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Norfolk

Apart from having to tow a caravan 265 miles to Snettisham, and back, it was a relaxed week visiting friends and family, back in Jenny's "homeland" and a place where I have spent many, many days birding, either alone, with pals or leading birding holidays.

Amber relaxing on holiday

Apart from seeing and hearing the Pink-feet going over to the salt marshes every morning, and seeing the fantastic Knot flock being moved by the tide, the highlight was being able to see the "Sea-Henge" exhibition in the Kings Lynn Museum at last. I was also able to take Jenny to the spot where it was built way back in 2049 BC, where we used to go to catch Sanderling. Back then, we just assumed it was part of a fossilised forest.

Now for a family pic - Jenny and her younger brother, John, at his 14th century farmhouse.

Jenny & John King

 ... and afterwards, J & A at Knettishall Heath in the evening sun.

We followed up a lead from Dawn Balmer (and family) and found "Natural Surroundings", a cafe and nature reserve tucked away on the Bayfield Estate. It was a surprise to be greeted by an old ringing friend, Andrew Cannon - and also to see four Red Squirrels from another friend's place, namely Bill Jordan's Pensthorpe reserve. The pictures are rubbish since these critters just wizz around at frenetic speed!

H S R S 

'Natural Surroundings'

Andrew sells Norfolk produced sunflower hearts that have a high oil content at £30 for 20 kg. Get some if you're in the area! A bargain!

Camera-less

Having returned home from a brief holiday, it took a couple of days to get the net up. Piccies will not be a feature - least ways, ones that are any good - as I lost my new camera on day 1. This was a bit of a bind since I needed to photograph some ancestral buildings and a couple of memorials. Things should improve by the middle of next week when I intend to be up and running again camera-wise. Meanwhile, it's back to the old one.

There were lots of fresh young birds around in the garden that required the acceptance of some BTO bling. I caught the first Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock and Chaffinch fledglings of the year on 23/05 and a Song Thrush the day after. I had already ringed the first young Blackbird and Goldfinchs some two and a half weeks earlier.    

A new 6M (3CY+) cock Robin

This week so far has seen 23 new birds ringed and 11 re-trapped as follows:

Blue Tit 1 (1)

Great Tit 2

Wren (1) - a tail-less female that must be sitting

Blackbird (3) - feeding fresh (2nd brood) young somewhere nearby

Song Thrush 1

Robin 3 (1)

Dunnock 3 (3)

House Sparrow 1

Chaffinch 2

Greenfinch 9 - 3 young & 6 adults 

Goldfinch 1 (1)

Bullfinch (1) - a nesting female

New male 6M (3CY+) Greenfinch with diagnostic grey tips to primary coverts

 Here are just a couple of links to fellow bloggers' blogs about the DEFRA Buzzard v Pheasant saga that is hitting the headlines.

http://wansteadbirder.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/defra-shocker.html

http://anotherbirdblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/buzzard-response-sort-of..html

Some hols

I have been away in NW Norfolk for the last week, ostensibly to bring the caravan back. I did manage some bird-watching - by taking the dog for a walk mornings and evenings around the Coastal Park - and clocked up over 70 species. A brief ringing session on the Sunday with Trevor Girling produced just 2 birds, a Chiff and a Wren.


I did manage to find the first Ring Ouzel early one morning (Sat 2nd), but missed the Gropper found by David Roche on the 5th.

Jenny has had a caravan here for many years and it was sad to leave and become just a "tourist pitch".


It was handy for the beach, dog walks and birding, not forgetting Hunstanton.


We were up there one day during high tide and the Turnstones, about 40 of them, were all feeding on the grass beside the road.


Whilst there, we had the obligatory dinner dates with old family friends, where the wine flowed. Next door is "Sandies", the local pub. Sandie was born in Luton Hoo and worked on the caravan site before taking over the pub.



The coastal park and the inner sea wall was were Jen and I first went for a walk after we had known each other for about a month (on the internet). We will always think of PFG, pink-footed geese, when remembering the area since the fields hold many after dusk; in fact, there were 250 there this week and they might remain for another 6-7 weeks yet before the last migrate north.


One historic event was about to happen; the flood siren was disconnected and siren itself was due to be 'recycled' and the post removed.


Another milestone - but will the new electronic notice boards that replace the siren be as effective? Will everybody ensconced in their 'vans/chalets be aware of the notice on the inner sea-wall if they don't venture out?

Go west! (pt.4)

Needed to get in some walking and that after the celebrations.

Day 12 (actually 13) - Sunday lunch promised at the "Wellie", Boscastle. Jen had visited not long before the disastrous flood and a camping neighbour was there on that day in 2004. Coincidentally, the Boscastle flood was on 16 August and the Lynmouth flood was on 15 August 1952, a day I will always remember.

We went via the coast road and through a very pretty, and much "glammed up" village of Polzeath, where we posted letters and cards home.

 
Polzeath harbour. 


 From there, we went to Port Issac. We parked outside the village and walked down. Later, we climbed back. On Mayday, I had chatted to one of the inshore lifeboat crew up at the Social Club, while sitting on the grass. Jen spent a lot of time poking round all the ally ways, looking at the old fishermen's cottages up the narrow streets. Meanwhile, I contemplated visiting a grumpy old doctor at his surgery above the harbour. Hehe.

Recognise it? Doc Martin's house. Quite a few of the locations at "Port Wenn" are filmed here. And by-the-by, those are not 'Fisherman's Friends', singing "No Hopers, Jokers and Rogues'.

From there, we went on to Boscastle. The repairs to the village and its infra-structure took five years to complete. At present, it all looks very pristine and new but I suspect the slate will weather down over the next decade and plants and mosses will colonise the walls as wind-blown dust settles in the cracks.

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View of Boscastle harbour, secluded but tricky to enter in poor weather.

Today was also the day a yanky White-throated Sparrow was found up the Tintagel road, by Trevalga. Star bird!

Pics of this bird can be found HERE and a video clip here

Day 14. More walking, this time as an excuse to look for colour-ringed Corn Buntings. We opted to park at Harlyn beach and walk round Trevone Head on the coast path to Constantine Bay (clean toilets).

Harlyn Bay on an ebb tide, with F4 northerlies.

We only found three singing Corn bunts and I was able to 'scope just the one, which was ring-less. On the other hand, we picked up Rock Pipit, a Gannet fishing off Trevone and 'Quies' [islets off-shore], a few Fulmars, Buzzards, Kestrel, Sky Larks singing 'everywhere', plenty of large and small gulls, and noisy Oystercatchers and passing Whimbrels. We walked back via the golf course to Harlyn, stopping off at the pub for a cold, Polish, lager beer, before returning to the car.

From there, we dropped into Padstow for a 'cornish cream tea' as Jen didn't want to leave without one. Then it was back to our windswept camp site to do a little packing up. On the morrow, we were anticipating a long drive of 6-7 hours to Bedford, with Jen taking another 2 to get to Lynn.

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"View from our lounge window, Padstow".

And the Blackbird chicks (at least three) from the Leylandii by the water tap fledged today and were partitioned between mum and dad. A good holiday, all things considered - and over too soon.

Go West (pt.3)

Day 11 - the 'big day'. May Day in Padstow! Or as they know it "'Obby 'Oss Day - the start of Summer"


Let the fun begin; the 'Childrens' parade', heading for the Institute.



The beating heart of the "Blues' 'oss"

The 'obby 'oss can just be seen over the top of the crowd, immediately after leaving the Institute.

The base of the Maypole, Market Square, decorated with Cowslips, Bluebells Sycamore boughs.

The top of the Maypole.

A packed inner harbour and harbour frontage - Padstow 01-05-10

This wasn't all. We had just finished having (another) drink at "The Shipwrights", when Jen spotted her niece Hannah. who lived hereabouts for several years. Later we were joined by nephew, Gerry, and Hannah's partner, Ian (better known as 'Ginge') and their Hungarian Oupi (woolly dog).

A chance family meeting. [Jen, Gerry, "Henry", Ian & Hannah]

I think I can say - "a good time was had by all".

Go west! (pt.2)

Day 7. Turned out lovely. Walked over the Towans to Godrevy with "Timmy Titus" who liked getting sand in his eyes (mad bugger). Just loved having those Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins swooping over the dunes around us almost constantly. Low numbers of both martins nest in/on the cliffs.
Later we went off to St. Ives, the artists' capital. Jen had to have a pastie and look in the arty-farty places while I bought some scones for later. We acquired our "Cornish calves" walking down and back - as pensioners we could have had a free ride there and back on the bus!

The steep walk via public footpath down to the town centre

St. Ives harbour at low tide.

Day 8. Jen took me to the Kennal Vale reserve at Ponsonooth. This is an old industrial site (gunpowder) in a steep, wet valley. I took the low road while Jen took the narrow, wet path (I call it a ledge) through the tops of the seven mills, fed by a still performing leat. No Dippers today. Some magnificent Beech trees, straight for 70-80', no less.

One of the grinding or mixing mills - minus water wheel.


Later on, we continued to Falmouth for lunch of fish and chips overlooking the harbour.
In the afternoon, we travelled to Predannack, a NT owned farm on the South-West Coast Path, situated down a very narrow lane between high Cornish banks.

 Predannack bay and cliffs - 28-04-10
 

 Cornish banks and trackway in spring - Predannack

Apart from the gulls on the rocks below the cliffs, we sat and watched the colony of Jackdaws wheeling and foraging, with incessant male Common Whitethroats singing from the stunted, wind-swept hedges along the tops of the banks that formed the field boundaries.'Bonus ball' was a Stoat watching us from <20' away; he eventually retreated into the rocks.

On day 9 it rained. A chance to have some "BSD cuddles". The couple next door had a Groenendal bitch and a Terveuren dog (13 yrs old!) which I was allowed to fondle. Happy memories. Went shopping in Tesco's.

Day 10 dawned and we packed the caravan. Off to Padstow, arriving around noon. My first visit but not Jen's. We've come to support the "Institute 'obby 'oss" tomorrow, as is Jen's desire.

Go west! (pt.1)

The holiday season is upon us. First stop - Dorset. Stayed at the usual Caravan Club site at Crossways, a few miles east of Dorchester.

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The outfit parked in 'the Dell' at Crossways

The main purpose of staying here again this year was to look at some prospective houses, using this site as a base.
We had been sent details of a few properties and found a few ourselves on the internet.

Day 1 took us to Bridport and Bradpole, then on to Seaton, Colyford and Colyton.
Day 2 and we went to Simonsbath (Exmoor) to look at the old post office which had been advertised, and then to Dunster, Old Cleeve, Williton and Kilve. We spent the evening with friends in Chard.
Day 3 saw us looking at places in Seaton, Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Whimple, breaking for lunch with friends near Exeter.

Day 4 was spent birdwatching. As usual, we went to RSPB Arne, trying to beat the crowds. We stood within 6-7 feet of a pair of Chiffs, nest building; it took us a short while to realise what was going on as we were looking at something else. We also found the Siskins and further round a female Gt. Spot excavating a hole on the underside of a huge broken bough. Waders were low in numbers but Whimbrel was picked up both by sight and sound. After the walk to "Shipstal Point" and back, we went onto the heath for the inevitable Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Dartfords.

Afterwards we went into Wareham and bought some 'blue vinny' (cheese) and some plonk as a prelude to visiting an old friend from Guildford in the evening. Day 5 (Sunday) we went and admired the traffic around Weymouth and looked at a few more houses on the way.

Birdwise at the site, the predominant bird, by song, was Chiffchaff. Three or more newly arrived Blackcaps were singing their hearts out, while a Coal Tit greeted us behind the 'van every morning. There are lots of Chaffinch and Robin around the site, which has much gorse, favoured by the LT Tits, and pine trees for the Greenfinches. On the early morning walk round, a Nuthatch obligingly sang from the tips of a Sycamore (in bud-burst), and the nesting Robin, and Blackbirds eagerly took the bread crumbs. A Grass-hopper Warbler sang from the quarry field next door, which the Pied Wags also preferred as it is wetter.

On day 6 we moved to Godrevy, north of Hayle. At the roundabout where we have to turn off the A30, I was not surprised to find a new retail building and an industrial estate that certainly wasn't there when I last visited. Cornwall is certainly catching up with the rest of England - well, the developers are!

The new retail shopping outlets, M&S, Boots and Next, at Hayle.

All very swish. By contrast, later that day, we went for a walk over the "Towans", a SSSI and LNR, and the second largest dune system in England.