RSPB bird count 2013

This year's bird count went well with lots of activity first thing in the morning as the birds flocked in for the bird food I'd just put out.  With bad weather all week, just like with last year's count in our garden, we had more than the usual numbers.  I say garden but really it's just a rooftop deck with a good hedge and tree cover close by.

Spotted were, 5 Chaffinch, 6 Blue Tits, 6 House Sparrows, 2 Great Tits, 1 Coal Tit, 8 Blackbirds (we've had up to 12 at a time this year), 2 Robins, 3 Starling, 2 Collared Doves, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Nuthatch and 1 Marsh Tit.

We haven't seen Long-tailed Tits for a few weeks, and unlike the last two years our Gold Crest visitor has only been seen sporadically. Missing this year as well are the Pied Wagtail and Grey Wagtail which frequented our deck very regularly.

Shawnna

Wrens

I don't have a good enough camera to capture these little guys very well, but it's always a pleasure to spot them hopping about!

Shawnna

Blackbirds

Bird watching from the warmth and comfort of the house today!

Woke up to no less than 10 blackbirds on the rooftop deck, squabbling over whose territory it was but otherwise waiting patiently for more food to be put out.

We have a regular flock of house sparrows, quite a few blue tits, great tits, coal tits and marsh tits, at least 2 robins, a pair of collared doves, a couple wood pigeons and 1 lone starling.


Shawnna

Askham Bog

Our first trip to Askham Bog on a lovely sunny but cold morning.  The Robins were the first to greet us and judging by the welcome of the various tits they were expecting us to provide some food!

The bog was quite wet so we mostly stuck to the boardwalk.  Lots of Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins, Marsh Tits and Dunnock.  Venturing off the boardwalk near the entrance we also spotted a pair of Bull Finches and several Gold Finches.  We also spotted a couple birds that we couldn't identify so we'll have to come back and spend more time!

Shawnna

Rooks

A walk from home late this afternoon revealed:
3 Buzzards circling
a flock of Bramblings which was new for our list
a delightful spotting of Bull Finches
a large flock of Greylags honking past overhead
and of course the usual din of Crows and Rooks as the sun headed down.


Shawnna

Old Cote Moor

A quiet and misty hike today from Kettlewell over Old Cote Moor into Arncliffe.

Saw a dozen or so Red Grouse on the tops, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker in the woods on the way down and along the river from Arncliffe 2 Dippers and 2 Treecreepers.

Along with lots of pheasants where we stopped for lunch!

Shawnna

Sparrows

Tree Sparrows and House Sparrows