Signs of Winter

 I took an afternoon walk just to get out of the house last weekend. I didn't really know where I was going or what I was going to find. It had rained most of the morning and that hadn't helped my mood. So I ended up at what is becoming one of my favourite local spots. Lapwing Hall Lane in Chelford. There's a really good mix of woodland, scrub, farmland, hedgerow and a very large lake that attracts a good variety, especially in winter.

I could hear Redwings overhead and it wasn't long before I caught a glimpse of a few. They had probably arrived in the week for their winter stay here. I carried on to a wooded area that is very good in the colder months. First bird I could hear was a Bullfinch, followed closely by another Redwing and a Goldcrest. Then I spotted some other birds flitting around. I was delighted to get a small group of Bramblings in my sights. I'd not seen any this year, so was pleased to add them to the year list. Great birds, and I was really pleased to see them here. I was able to stand and watch them for 20 minutes before I'd had my fix and moved on.

Brambling

I continued my walk and leant on a gate to see what was across a stubbly field. I thought I was going to be looking at a large flock of Canada Geese, but it was obvious very quickly that I had a good number of Pink footed Geese in with them.  I'd seen a few large skeins fly over recently, but these were the first of the year that I'd seen down on the ground. Winter has arrived (in bird terms) and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

The Pink footed Geese are the ones with the darker heads, with Canada and Greylag at the back.

Unusually, there were still some signs of the summer months with some butterflies and dragonflies still on the wing. 

Small Copper Butterfly

Comma Butterfly

Sculthorpe

My last visit to Norfolk, at Easter time, took me back to Sculthorpe Moor near Fakenham. I do really like this reserve. It is peaceful and full of wildlife, you can feel a thousand miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, as though it is just you and nature. Not something that is easy to do in this day and age.
At the Whitley hide you can look across the marshes for harriers and other birds of prey, while close by there are some feeders that brings the smaller birds in.

Brambling 

Bullfinch.

 The view from the hide. Such a vast area to lose yourself in.

Pallid Harrier - Flitcham

Last weekend, I spent what is fast becoming a Birthday event for me, a lovely weekend in Norfolk with my parents bird watching. Alongside that is some good food, drink and plenty of laughs and reminiscing. I look forward to it immensely once Christmas is out of the way.
There are always some good bird highlights and possibly one of the best for a while, was the sighting of a Pallid Harrier at Abbey Farm, Flitcham. It has been in the area for a while, but I wanted to catch up with it as this was a lifer for me.
We waited for 15 to 20 minutes before it showed itself, rising up from the stubble before disappearing once again. Another 5 minutes passed before it showed again. This time quartering the field in what was a real spectacle. We lost it over the hedge line before it shot straight through a gap in the hedge close beside us. An awesome sight and one I will remember for a while to come.

All shots are quite distant, but I'm pleased to have got some record shots of this harrier.

While waiting for the Pallid Harier to show, we were entertained by some large flocks of Brambling.

And a pair of Egyptian Geese.

Brambling - Norfolk

In the woods at Sculthorpe Moor, we came across an extraordinarily large flock of Brambling. In total I would hazard a guess at there being close to 200. Quite a flighty bird. They were constantly coming into feed and then all at once would disperse into the trees. Not without good reason though. Sparrowhawks were doing their flybys, trying to take anything they could. None were successful while we were there. The Bramblings kept coming back to feed though.
A fantastically colourful bird, and one I don't tire of seeing in the winter months.

The hide with all the action.

 

 

Lovely markings seen on the backs.

Vast numbers could be seen feeding on the ground.

 

Winter Treats

Having not been out recently, I have looked back at some shots I took around the same period last year. I came across some Brambling and Siskins up at Dovestone Reservoir. Feeders are put out and topped up all year by the RSPB, so you are usually guaranteed to see something around them.
The good thing about the winter conditions is that the birds will quite often come to you if you are patient enough.

Brambling

Siskin

Brambling and Siskin

Robin

Dunnock