At last...a Chiffchaff

A Chiffchaff calling in a tree in Richmond Road then flying into some shrubbery was my first of the spring. Better late than never I guess. A Blue Tit was inspecting my nestbox in the front garden, spending several seconds looking into the hole.

At St Andrews Park there was at least 1 Redwing, a Fieldfare, a Mistle Thrush (also song heard briefly) plus several Starlings.

Garden birds

Birds in the garden this morning included a male Blackcap, a Great Tit, 3 Blue Tits, a couple of Blackbirds, a Dunnock, 3 Woodpigeons and a Magpie.

In St Andrews Park there was a Redwing feeding on the grass close to a Mistle Thrush. The Starling flock numbered about 30 and there were 10 Goldfinches.

Redwing

Goldcrest

A Goldcrest was showing well in the trees at the junction of Fairlawn Road and Ashley Hill this morning along with a couple of Blue and Great Tits, a Wren and a Dunnock. Further along the road were 5 Greenfinches.  A Jackdaw flew over Ashley Vale.

The Blackcap was still singing at the station along with half a dozen Starlings and a few Chaffinches.

Hungry Hawk

I was wondering why the station feeders were deserted this morning when I noticed a mean-looking female Sparrowhawk perched just below them! She flew off before I could get a photo, unfortunately. Also a singing Blackcap at the station.

St Andrews Park

The monthly bird walk in the park turned up some cracking stuff this morning:

Waxwing - 4 birds near the bowling green
Redwing - 2 feeding on the grass
Blackcap - a male in song
Mistle Thrush  - 2 birds feeding on the grass
Blackbird - several birds feeding on the ground. Song and alarm calls heard
Starling - several birds
Great Tit - 1 or 2
Blue Tit - a couple around
Coal Tit - 1 or 2 seen
Long-tailed Tit - a couple of birds seen
Wren - a bird singing
Chaffinch - 1 or 2
Goldfinch - a small party seen
Greenfinch - 1 or 2 in song
Dunnock - at least 2 birds seen or heard
Carrion Crow - 2 or 3 birds around
Woodpigeon - several birds, 1 appeared to be building a nest
Collared Dove - 1 or 2
Magpie - several birds
Pied Wagtail - 1 or 2
House Sparrow - 1 or 2
Robin - noted by Simon at least

Waxwing

Also lots of Frogspawn on the pond.


Frogspawn



Sparrowhawk

A Sparrowhawk soaring over the flat this morning was the only bird of note today - it's all very quiet.

The usual suspects in St Pauls Park yesterday - Robin and Wren singing, a couple of Blackbirds, 2 Chaffinches, several Greenfinches, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Great Tits, 3 Blue Tits, 2 Carrion Crows and 1 or 2 Woodpigeons.

St Andrews Park: The Sequel

A Mistle Thrush still in the park this morning and an impressive 40 Starlings. Also a couple of Long-tailed Tits, a singing Coal Tit, 2 Chaffinches, 4 Greenfinches, 4 Blackbirds, 3 Blue Tits, a Robin, 3 Goldfinches and 2 fly-over Cormorants.

St Andrews Park

Highlights in and around the park included a male Sparrowhawk on a TV aerial in Effingham Road and 2 Mistle Thrushes. Also a Dunnock, 20 or so Starlings and half a dozen Greenfinches.

Mistle Thrush

Sparrowhawk

More Greenfinches and a couple of Goldfinches at Fairlawn Road.

Blackcaps

At least 1 male and 1 female Blackcap on and around the station feeders this morning among the usual stuff.

Foxy lazy

A Fox was basking in the sun at the back of Lynmouth Road allotments this morning and a female type Sparrowhawk low over stony path at the Ashley Hill end. A party of Long-tailed Tits at Ashley Hill allotments. Male Blackcap at the station.

Fox





St Andrews Park

A Goldcrest gave good views near the pond, also a party of Long-tailed Tits, a Coal Tit and a Mistle Thrush in the park.

At Montpelier Station there were 3 Blackcaps - 2 males and a female - near the feeders along with several mainly female Chaffinches. Also a couple of Goldfinches and Greenfinches.

Along Fairlawn Road there was some Blackthorn blossom near the Ashley Hill end. At Ashley Vale a Grey Wagtail was near the brook and a party of Long-tailed Tits at Lynmouth Road allotments.

Blackthorn blossom