Tuesday 29th December

 This morning I spent almost three hours birding down in the Ghyll, on the opposite side of town from yesterday's excursion. It was very wet underfoot, and it was very cloudy, meaning that the light was poor, nevertheless it was well worth it. I worked my way from the north end to the south end, from Green Lane and the recreation ground down to Forest Rise and the housing estate there.

I had excellent views of Redwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker at the northern end, as well as a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, besides the usual Blackbirds and various tits. Robins and Wrens were plentiful, and there were also a good number of Song Thrushes and Bullfinches. I also heard a single Chiffchaff calling, which I eventually saw, albeit briefly.

I was not so familiar with the southern end (from the bridge down), but it was fascinating that parts of it look almost like the Ashdown Forest, with heather, gorse and bracken all growing in fair quantities in the area. Here I found a few Marsh Tits in a flock also containing Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Long-tailed Tits, and also a Treecreeper. A couple of Nuthatches were hanging on to the flock somewhat loosely. 

In an area of dense Holly, I managed to see a crest, which I soon realised was a Firecrest. Being so common around here this was no surprise, but I was pleased to have good views of it, and then later a Goldcrest. A Raven also flew over when I was walking through a field at the top, just below the football ground.


Monday 28th December

 After a year when I have been unable to do much birding due to an increased work load, I have finally some time to get out in the field once again. This time, I ventured to a previously un-visited site on the far north-western boundary of the recording area - namely St Johns and Bunker Hill.

I began by walking up the main track, but this was too busy to provide much in the way of birds, and hence I started to walk down a very wet side track. This proved to be a good move, as I almost immediately flushed a large flock of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, and Redwings. Mistle Thrushes seemed to be present in greater numbers than the Song Thrushes, but it was hard to tell, even with fewer leaves on the trees.

In the same area, a little further along, I found a tit flock, in the midst of which was probably the best bird of the day - the humble Treecreeper. I did not stay long at the top of Bunker's Hill, but I saw nothing up there whatsoever, bar a single Carrion Crow and numerous dog-walkers! However, it was coming back down through a holly strewn footpath that rendered the second best bird of the walk - a Firecrest, flitting around, which I sadly failed to photograph.




  

Thursday 2nd January

Quiet this morning. I was out and about an hour earlier than yesterday, which is most likely to be the reason why it was so quiet. Highlights included a 'kee-wick' ing Tawny Owl at Poundfield Woods and a single Pied Wagtail which flew high over the Montargis Estate.

A Meadow Pipit flew over the Beeches Estate later this afternoon, which is only the second so far this year. Also one Redwing, and a Sparrowhawk which scythed through, as usual, giving only the briefest of views before vanishing behind the trees.

Wednesday 1st January

What a day! In all strangeness, and despite my best efforts, the sum total of 37 species was the full count of all the species I observed today.

To start the day off, I was outside at 06:00 and immediately heard a Tawny Owl. Having spent a few minutes more standing staring into the darkness, I saw the Tawny Owl flying over, a dark shadow against the orange-hued skies. While outside, I also heard a Blackbird, Robin, and Song Thrush, taking my list up to four.

Heading to Pelling's Wood once it was light (around 08:15) I added two much-wanted species - Marsh Tit, and Siskin, as well as many of the common species on the way. Nearby, Steel Cross produced the goods in the form of a delightful pair of Bullfinches.

Heading off up Pelling's Farm Close, I moved up into the woodlands above that road, which I call Poundfield Woods, where I added Hawfinch, with two in an area that I regularly check. This is only the third time I have had Hawfinches on the patch this winter, so I was really pleased with that tick.

On the Montargis Estate, I just heard a slight 'seep' overhead, and, looking up, spotted two Redwing flying over, whilst further away on Luxford Lane I had more Siskins, and more of the common species.

Later in the morning, I went to Broadwater Warren RSPB. Here the highlights were an invisible Firecrest, which positively refused to show itself, multiple Jays, at least two Stonechats, and a very photogenic Kestrel, which remained perched while I had a good look at it.

Later in the afternoon, I added another species to bring the list up to 37 for the day - Meadow Pipit, flying over the house!