Wigeon (duck) Houghton Green Flash
Wigeon (drake) Houghton Green Flashxxx
This morning I arrived at HGF to find the Wigeon flock had resumed the migration that had been so rudely interrupted by the recent cold snap. I always feel a little sad when they disappear and wish I could go and see the same birds in their breeding ground (wherever that is). This morning only 16 birds were left - I must have sensed they would soon disappear because I spent a large part of yesterday trying to digiscope them - the best two images are above. Anyway a quick recap of the weekend is in order.
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Saturday morning started with a quick trip to HGF. A White Wagtail was showing very well on the lawn of Myddleton Farm. Five Black-necked Grebes were present with 2 Wheatears (male and a female) flitting around nr Midhops Farm and 6 fresh looking Meadow Pipits in the south field. Two Buzzards were floating over the east side.
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In the garden this morning gang warfare errupted when 3 Crows kicked off with 8 Magpies in one of the Ash trees. The only other birds of note were 2 male Reed Buntings who visited the garden this evening. Three Buzzards (different from the HGF birds) floated high over the house this morning. On Waterworks Lane were 2 pairs of Grey Partridges and a Brown Hare.
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Sunday started off with a very early trip to HGF. Six Black-necked Grebes now present - all seen in the same scope view. Six Redshanks were also around. As I was again in can't be arsed mode I went to Pennington for a mooch. From Horrocks Hide 23 Snipe and 8 Goldeneye were the highlights. The Teal Hide was better with good views of the pair of Little Ringed Plovers trying out potential nest scrapes. As it was developing into a gorgeous morning I decided there had to be a Swallow around so I parked myself on a bench nr the Ice Cream van spot and scanned the main flash. After around 15 minutes I spotted one with around 70 Sand Martins. Spring is definitely here!
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I then went for a wander around the mosses with not a lot to report. A Wheatear was in a field nr the M62 and a pair of Red-legged Partridges were playing dare with a cat. They let it walk within 10 feet before running off a few yards and stopping to watch again. The cat seemed also to be in can't be arsed mode. As I drove past the field where the Desert Wheatear was found I spotted another Swallow flying around the field!
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Off then to Rixton mosses. Four Wheatears (2 males, 2 females) were in the field next to the landfill site - the others appear to have moved on. A Sparrowhawk was soaring over Myddleton Lane when I got home. Sunday evening the male Brambling was back in the garden with 3 male Reed Buntings. At HGF late evening a Golden Plover was casually strolling around in the south field. From the markings on th breast I could swear it is the same bird I flushed last Wednesday. So what is it still doing here on its own? 83 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over from the NE heading towards Fiddlers Ferry area.
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This morning still six BNG's at HGF. I also saw a Swallow and a House Martin flying around. The Golden Plover is still present in the south field. Wigeon flock as I stated was down to 16. At lunch today I had a quick trip round Rixton mosses. The Wheatears have all done a bunk but 4 Corn Buntings were showing well. Best of all was a Stoat which was dragging a small mammal down Woodend Lane. I followed it for around 200 yds before the Stoat dropped its prey. For the life of me I hadn't been able to figure out what the prey was so I went for a look. It was a young rabbit - the Stoat had chewed off its ears! Fortunately the Stoat came back for th rabbit - just a few yards away two cock Pheasants started a fight!
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This evening the male Brambling and a male Reed Bunting were in the garden - so too was a Heron! At HGF late evening the farmer was rolling the south field - the Golden Plover was still present though and seemed not bothered at all! Another Swallow sighting was to be had on the way home - flying around in Croft.
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Today I started watching an Osprey webcam. This is one of my favourite places - we regularly go on holiday nearby and I have seen these Ospreys many times. The female is twenty odd years old, has nested at Loch of the Lowes since 1991 and has so far laid 53 eggs and raised over 40 young. Amazing! She arrived back this year on Friday 20th, the male arrived this morning. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we can not only watch her live but also hear all the sounds around the nest. As I write this I can see her feeding on a fish (in the dark) and can hear all sorts of background sounds! All last summer I tuned in most nights to watch the Ospreys and listen to the sounds of other birds and animals settling in for the night. It was very peaceful and relaxing and I am looking forward to experiencing it again this year, especially as for the first time in years we will not be visiting the area in 2009!
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