Signs

 The first local Snowdrops of the year are a few days late this year, but, better late than never, they are always a joy to see.

Its a lovely day, today with blue skies and bright sun. Some birds were showing a change in the year too with 10 piping Oystercatchers on the back flash creating such a commotion I had to get up from my work station to check them out. A pair of Collared Doves were singing and display flighting, while Great spotted Woodpeckers were drumming in the woods. Down at the pond there was some head nodding going on between Mallards too...

Its always exciting at this time. This year I am planning on spending a bit more time looking at two over-looked ( by me) groups. 

Wild Plants and the Seashore. Like the birding, it will be a laid back affair just trying to learn a few more new species mainly to get me looking in some less watched local spots.  I have just bought the Simon Harrap Wild Flowers Guide and might look into a user friendly Seashore guide too. 

I've looked at rockpooling books before but they all seem to think that the only bit of coast with rock pools is Cornwall. There will be overlap I am sure but the western Atlantic and the North Sea are nearly different countries let alone habitats....

Looking back up the pond field track by the wet wood.

Late winter specials....

Off on a flexi day today and annual leave on Monday making a nice long weekend. Today, Phil Hanmer came to ours to replace an old owl box in the small wood next to our garden. The old one was dismal and last summer a Barn Owl nest failed in it due lack of protection from the weather so the new one is of much sturdier construction. Lets hope it gets used.

While out for a walk or two around the patch today, the Chiffchaff is still flickering around the Lane ditch while Brambling numbers in the finch flock have increased to 7 birds, 3 males 4 females. There were still 250+ Linnets and 50 Chaffinches with 1 Lesser Redpoll. Buzzard and Stock Dove kept the flock company in the stubble.

Down to the pond, it was quiet. There were no penduline tits in the reedmace ( prompted by one at Saltholme today!) but the Coot is still present ( please park carefully!)

Howick Hall Gardens open to the public tomorrow to see the snowdrops. There seems to be  nice show so far, all we need is some pleasant late winter weather rather than this grime, wind and rain that seems omnipresent....

Brambling. A male, probably adult but a strategically positioned twig stops us seeing an outer greater covert for contrast...

A photo blog...

Although it has been the first sunny day for a while, the patch was generally quiet. Mind you, that could be my fault as I was just moseying around and didnt even get to look at the sea! I suppose the highlight was a Woodcock that flushed when I almost trod on it in the wood...

The woods were a sea of Snowdrops. 

11 Herons were beginning to get territorial at the pond.

Some colour in the woods. I've no idea what these are but they mustn't taste too good.

Keeping hidden...

A male Goldcrest singing while feeding.

As was this male Great Tit.

A 7-spot Ladybird on what I think is Male Fern?

 

Small Tortoiseshell dormant only 3 inches from where I placed it on 30th November.

Its snowing....

First Snowdrops of the year.

Only a short couple of walks from home with Bunty this morning. On the first one at sunrise, a female / fw type Snow Bunting ( the white in the wings was seen from below) flew low north over Seahouses farm, calling as it went. They can be tricky in the New Year here so its a good one for the patch list.

Generally the whole area was almost bird-less but a wander into the pond field mid morning added a couple more common species for the patch.

I could only find one small clump of Snowdrops in flower, making them a bit late this year. This is probably due to the mild weather, these bulbs need a sharp cold snap before a mild one to set them off. Its still like autumn here.

Alder catkins.

 The Alders looked nice in the morning sun decked with catkins,and 3 Bullfinches fed on bramble and docks along the track side briefly.

Bullfinch on bramble seeds

Signs...

I wasn't out for very long on Sunday but I still managed to fit in a walk from home, a short way inland to a small wood I have never been to before and back via the Hall.

It is still very quiet on the bird front, with the most visible being 4 or more Treecreepers in various spots on the route. A Jay showed well and a Tawny Owl in full hoot in the middle of the day were the only other things of note.

Less visible, as usual, were the mammalian residents of the patch, but all it takes is a keen eye ( or not so keen for that matter) and signs of recent activity can be found. I was like Davey Crockett without the 'coon skin hat!
Five species of mammal were noted but only one seen -

Field Vole - Chewed grass runs visible after the snow has thawed.
Mole - Hills everywhere, despite the attentions of the catcher. Oh, his metal detector and spade has gone...
Brown Hare - A well worn run in our back field.
Roe Deer - Droppings and tracks, but a doe and with her yearling were seen too.
Badger - An active set. I didnt go for a look last year but I will this year.
Fox? - only a possible. They are shot out in this area, and I still havent seen one in the last two years, but some scat on a molehill looked suitable. I'll keep an eye open for this one...

Treecreeper.

Field Vole runs in chewed grass.

Well used Brown Hare run.

Snowdrops

Roe Doe and yearling.