This last weeks severe frost and sunshine have been perfect winter conditions to go looking for Jack Snipe and Waxwings.The first are down in number this winter but the Waxwings are only just arriving. I watched two separate flocks yesterday so this weeks blog is devoted to them and so is next weeks as they are my favourite bird!
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There is no doubt that the Bearded Tit (or Reedling) is one of the most illusive and spectacular Pennine birds. In recent weeks I have searched the reed-beds of several wildlife reserves but to date I have had only minor success. Along with the Bittern, its close neighbour, they are still at the top of my hit list.
This male Sparrowhawk is not only an immaculate specimen he is a lethal hunter.The autumn birds feeding in the garden have been severely reduced by his lethal hunting. Robin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit and perhaps even Bullfinch have all been taken on an almost daily basis.Is it now time to take action?
At this time of year Stonechats move off the high moorlands of the Pennines, where they bred in summer, and relocate at lower altitudes. Just recently I have seen plenty on lower-level wildlife reserves, parkland, and regularly on my local Golf course. It will take severe winter weather to finally push them onto the coast. Is that to come soon?
There is one bird that absolutely delights in eating acorns and that is the Jay. Normally it is difficult to film them eating acorns as it usually happens deep in a Pennine wood. However, last week I had a lucky break when I came across two Oak trees on an Industrial estate that had just shed all their acorns.Despite the constant traffic the local Jays could not resist and I had a field day with the camera.
When the wind blew from the east on the 17th October I was not surprised to see my first Redwings of Winter. What did surprise me the following day was to find a female Brambling feeding in the garden, with a handful of Chaffinches. I have never before had a Brambling in the garden during October so it all augers well for a good Winter to follow , especially as there are already Waxwings in Yorkshire!
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