Allan's Travels

• Friday, April 10, 2009 - Streatly and Blows Down, Ring Ouzel

I left home about 7.30 to try my luck at some farmland just north of Luton, at Streatley.  This is a number of fields that hold about 500 sheep.

As I went through the kissing gate  three Fiedfare saw me and flew into a large tree.  The next 45 minutes was almost fruitless, so I headed back to my car.  Just before reaching my car there was a local man playing with his dog.  He told me he had seen a Barn Owl a bit earlier.  I scanned the area for a while but had no luck exept a swallow.  Ten minutes later as I drove from Streatley to Sundon I found the owl flying along side the road and was able to stop and follow it for a short distance.

I arrived at Blows Down  about 9 am, as I walked up the path at the Tesco's end a birder told me that the Ouzel had been seen earlier so I carried on along the top of the slope and met up with a number of other birders.  After about half an hour with no luck I desided to head of home, I was walking back with one of the other birders when I got a call from the guy's that stayed, the bird was showing well.  We both went back and after a short while we found the female Ouzel.  I desided to stay and watch for a while.

About ten minutes later we heard an Ouzel call and found a female sitting in a tall tree, within seconds the first female joined it, they then flew down to a large bush that stands alone on the slope.  We watched them for maybe ten minutes more when a third bird called and landed in the same tall tree, this was a male, he then flew down to join the two females.  All was well until the local running club desided to play follow the leader along the top of the slope, the birds flew into cover and I left for home.

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - An hour at Paxton Pits

After finishing work early at a site near St Neots I decided to see if the Firecrest was still at Paxton pits.

When I arrived it was threatening to rain, so I called into the centre to read the latest sightings.  The Firecrest had been seen earlier.  So after a brisk 10 minute walk I arrived at the bench that was mentioned in the log.  A couple of Goldcrests were actively searching for insects also Long Tailed Tits,Blue Tits and Great Tits were feeding.  After about ten minutes of searching I  found my prize, the Firecrest was feeding a the back of the hedge.  I watched it for about a minute and then it was gone, at that piont it started to rain and I had to leave.

On the way back I took shelter in a hide where there were lots of birds feeding at feeding station,  after a few minutes a marsh tit came to the table. There was no sign of the pair of Smew and the female Goosander that were reported in the log, so it was time to leave.

 

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

About Me

My work, installing systems for fish, takes me all over Britain. Birdwatching has been my passion for about 35 years. I try to take pictures of birds, animals and scenery where ever I go.

Links

Home
View my profile
Archives
Friends
Email Me
My Blog's RSS
The Three Amigo's Blog

Friends

Page 1 of 1
Last Page | Next Page
Locations of visitors to this page