Another Yankee Wader

Juvenile American Golden Plover, Cockersands Abbey

2nd November

An early morning visit to HGF. There are now eight Little Grebes present and an additional Wigeon has arrived. No sign of the Pochards from a few days ago. Interesting that what was presumably the new Wigeon arrival was at the opposite end of the pool to the other 19. I have seen this many times where new arrivals (presumably) seem to keep themselves distant to any “resident” birds and subsequently take a few days to integrate themselves.

A male Kestrel was perched on a sign post eating a small rodent and a heavily streaked Buzzard flapped around the south field. Also in this field, by the reed mace in the bottom corner, was a covey of 30 Grey Partridges. Two flocks of Redwings, 29 + 10 flew over. A quick look at the feeding station – 38 Tree Sparrows were visible but from the sound of chattering within the hedge lots more sparrows were present.

I saw from Jonathan’s blog that he had an interesting owl experience on the previous evening at Risley Moss. I decided to pop along there after work and see what turned up. Jonathan and then Dave Beetham also arrived shortly after. Unfortunately no owls except for two calling Tawnies, however we did see a couple of Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks and a probable Merlin. Right at the death I spotted a Woodcock which the other two missed. A flock of 45 Canada Geese also came in for a bath.

3rd November

Not much to report from HGF this morning except the Little Grebe numbers had increased to 8.

4th November

Relatively static at HGF again this morning. At lunch I nipped round to Moat Lane pools. 15 Redwings, a Fieldfare, a Jay, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Mute Swan JP4 (plus friend) were the birds seen. 14 Teal were present on the pool at the base of the tip. At dusk I nipped back to Prospect Lane where 15 Skylarks were in a ploughed field. Late on the Short-eared Owl emerged and had a fly round before disappearing in the gloom. This was followed by 44 Canada Geese flying into somewhere.

November 5th

Started this morning at HGF but nothing new. I then called in at the feeding station. A sparrow flock was in the hedge opposite the laybye and was feeding on seed heads in the field nr the water treatment works. I estimated around 45 birds in the hedge so I settled in to see if they would move to the feeding station. Eventually they started flying across and somehow the numbers had doubled – there were 82 Tree Sparrows and 8 House Sparrows plus a number of Goldfinches which stayed put. Nice start to the day!

Later we set off for the van. I then made a quick trip to Cockersands Abbey to have a quick look at the juvenile American Golden Plover there. It showed well if distantly.

Late afternoon two flocks of Redwings flew through the caravan park – 280+ and 50+. I then noticed a few Greenfinches flitting around so I decided to keep an eye on last years roost site. Sure enough 36 finches dropped in to roost this evening. While I was watching them, I had a chat with the site manager. She told me about a small bird that she had seen outside her van that morning – Wren-like (everything to her is either a Wren or an Eagle Owl!) with two distinctive eye stripes and a ring on its leg. Now I wonder what that was? Sod’s law it was long gone by the time I looked for it. A Tawny Owl was calling around the van tonight.