I photographed this male at Ainsdale Local Nature Reserve on March 5th before things went all kablooey, but he was still singing away by the Green Sefton office today, and never sounded so good…
The thin scratchy song can often be a bit quiet, but in the inverse tranquility of the lockdown, you could clearly hear him through the open window.
At least three males this spring in the vicinity of the office, and good numbers elsewhere on the coast after the relatively mild winters of recent years.
He clung onto the bare branches a week or two back allowing me to commit his balancing act to ropey video, which you can watch on You Tube here.
Apologies as usual.
Work had me up and down the coast from Ainsdale to Southport today, with three Wheatears, a thin movement of Meadow Pipits and the electrifying song of Skylarks muscling in on my duties.
I tried not to look, but you can’t not.
Chiffchaffs were singing at several sites.
Vernal Mining Bees and other solitary bee sp starting to emerge too.
They’ll all be here again next spring though, so please stay home and safe, and enjoy what’s on the doorstep.
I managed 24 sp at Dempsey Towers yesterday, but I know others can smash that – let me know what you’re finding close to home.
Usual garden suspects but does a grey squirrel hanging upside down on the sunflower seed feeder yesterday morning count? It flew off along the fence line when it saw me anyway. The critter was back again this morning.
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It all counts Eric! Still get Ted Squirrels at Dempsey Towers, hoping to keep the Greys at bay. Hmm, there’s a parallel there…
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Found my first Blackcap of the year today during a walk around the estate. Also a Sparrowhawk chasing Starlings, and a Buzzard very high overhead.
Yesterday I walked through the farmland opposite the estate and found 2 Yellowhammer and 2 Grey Partridge.
Amazing what can be found when not jumping in the car and travelling to reserves miles away.
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Exactly Stephen. Enjoy and stay safe.
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We’ve been walking on the fields across from our house in Ormskirk as our daily exercise. Seen so far moorhen, mallard, corn bunting, linnet, blackcap, chiffchaff. More of these today than previously. Jay, jackdaw, crow, magpie, buzzard, kestrel, bullfinch, song thrush & blackbird. Let’s be careful out there.
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That’s the way to do it guys – many thanks.
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A couple of Chiffchaffs and a lone Blackcap have been the garden highlights in the last couple of days. Up to 7 Buzzards gliding overhead impressive to see also.
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Always brill to watch a Buzzard kettle Dave. Many thanks.
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Barn owl and 2 short eared owls on Hightown Dunes
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Nice.
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