Monday 31 December 2012

Who do you finch you are?

The Montpelier Station finch-fest continued today with a gorgeous male Bullfinch on the feeders. There was at least 1 Greenfinch among the Chaffinch flock. Plenty of Blackbirds (an influx in recent days) and 4 or 5 Collared Doves nearby.

Sunday 30 December 2012

Brambling

A Brambling was hanging around the feeders on the station this morning among 15 or so Chaffinches and about half a dozen House Sparrows.

I was amazed to see a flowering Lesser Celandine at Fairfield Road - by far the earliest I've ever seen.

Lesser Celandine
In nearby Fairlawn Road there was a Coal Tit and some Long-tailed Tits and a fly-over Chaffinch. At the top of St Andrews Road there were 4 Goldfinches, a Coal Tit and a Blackbird in the same small tree.

Goldfinch
A Grey Wagtail flew over near the Cheltenham Road arches and a Jay was near the Royal Mail office in Station Road.

At St Andrews Park a 'flock' of 9 Blackbirds was notable plus a few Goldfinches, a Chaffinch and a Greenfinch.

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Hot Rats

At the station this morning the Chaffinch flock numbered an impressive 20 or so, with similar numbers of House Sparrows and half a dozen Starlings. Also a couple of Pied Wagtails overhead, 2 Dunnocks and 6 or 7 Long-tailed Tits. A Brown Rat was looking a bit intimidated by a Magpie beneath the feeders.

At Fairlawn Road another bunch of Long-tailed Tits accompanying some Blue and Great Tits were the only birds of note, while at the top of St Andrews Road a Coal Tit sang from the top of a tree.

Headless Long-tailed Tit

In St Andrews Park I had a chance to note 2 Herring Gulls and a Pied Wagtail before rain stopped play.

Herring Gull

Pied Wagtail

Sunday 23 December 2012

Christmas Cormorant

A Cormorant flew west over the station this morning. Other fly-overs included both Grey and Pied Wagtails. Nearby there were 8 Starlings, half a dozen Chaffinches, 6 or 7 House Sparrows, a Great Tit and a Grey Squirrel.
Female Chaffinch

Cormorant
At Fairlawn Road there was a pair of Blackcaps, 6 Goldfinches and 2 Greenfinches.
Female Blackcap

Friday 21 December 2012

I'm still here!

Please forgive the lack of posts recently but I've been quite busy with work and trips to the BRI for physio, x-rays and hydrotherapy following my fractured arm. All going very well (and as regards hydrotherapy, swimmingly) so well done the NHS for really looking after me. On the days when I haven't been quite so busy, it's been raining. Typical, isn't it!

Happy Christmas and new year to my reader.

Sunday 16 December 2012

St Andrews Park

Highlights in the park this morning included a Coal Tit, 5 Greenfinches, a Chaffinch, several Goldfinches heard, a fly-over Jackdaw heard, at least 1 Jay, a couple of Pied Wagtails, 2 Dunnocks plus Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits.

Saturday 15 December 2012

Station Starlings Hit Double Figures Shock

At least 10 Starlings at the station this morning along with a couple of Chaffinches and Goldfinches and the usual House Sparrows. Nearby at Fairlawn Road there was a party of Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tits and a Grey Squirrel. A Coal Tit was showing well in Balmoral Road.

Grey Squirrel
A Raven did 3 or 4 circuits of St Andrews Park, also a Pied Wagtail in the park.
Raven

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Fox News

I must be a very light sleeper because once again I was woken up by a barking dog Fox last night. It continued on and off for 10 or 15 minutes as the Fox moved about.

Monday 10 December 2012

Montpelier Station and Park

I'm a little disappointed that the colder weather hasn't brought in any new birds - the station was very quiet other than a couple of Chaffinches, a Robin and a singing Coal Tit together with a Grey Squirrel while the nearby park had a Blue Tit, a Blackbird, a Chaffinch and 2 Pied Wagtails.

Sunday 9 December 2012

St Andrews Park thrush thrash

Today and yesterday I've been trying to get good views and photographs of what is almost certainly a Song Thrush in the park. It is very flighty and easily spooked by dogs so it's all been a bit frustrating. If I'm right, this will be the first I've ever seen in the park. Watch this space! Also in the park was a Coal Tit, 2 Pied Wagtails, a Chaffinch and several Goldfinches among the common birds.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Wear the fox hat?

I was awakened in the small hours by a barking dog Fox outside the flat. It was obviously on the move, barking every 30 seconds or so as it made its way along the road.

Sunday 2 December 2012

Fieldfare over Fairlawn

A Fieldfare flew over Fairlawn Road this morning, also a Grey Squirrel,  Dunnock, Jay and fly-over Grey Wagtail nearby. The winter sunshine was strong enough to bring out a Green Shieldbug and some Smooth Sow-thistle was in flower near the bridge.

Dunnock

Smooth Sow-thistle
The male Blackcap was at the station frequenting the feeders along with the Chaffinch flock, a Greenfinch, several House Sparrows and 8 Starlings.

A party of Long-tailed Tits were feeding in Richmond Road.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Kingsdown Chiffchaff

A Chiffchaff calliing and showing well in a tree along Dove Street South this morning.

At the station today were the usual Chaffinches (including a nice male), a Blackbird, 5 Starlings, 10 House Sparrows, a Pied Wagtail, a Blue Tit and a Grey Squirrel. At Montpelier Park there was a party of Long-tailed Tits.