Dorset - Garden Watch - A New Shire and A New Challenge!

Times have been a bit manic of late as I prepared to up sticks and move to a new Shire. The day came soon enough and the journey down to Dorset was made in driving rain! I did not manage to beat the removals but arrived just in the nick of time to pick up the keys before the estate agents closed for the day.

I must say the Anyvan removal guys were top rate and the vans were unloaded in double quick time leaving a pile of boxes inside my new abode.  The thought of opening them all did not have the same intensity as the thrill of Christmas day but they had to be opened all the same!

My priority for the new day was to put some feeders up in the garden! I had already spied a Wren and a Robin from my bedroom window. I could not spend the whole day gazing into the garden but kept a casual eye on developments from the windows.

A House Sparrow was spied taking a drink from the top of the water butt but did not venture onto the feeders until later on in the afternoon. Blue Tit was moving between the trees passing over the garden along with a Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Feral Pigeon, Herring Gull, Starling and numerous Jackdaw. The later seemed to be spooked mid morning but I could not find the culprit.

There were no surprises as to the first visitor onto the ground feeder. A Wood Pigeon that became bolder as the day progressed.  A Canada Goose was heard honking mid afternoon which completed the days tally!

More unpacking tomorrow with an eye and ear on alert at all times!

Epsom and Walton Downs - Fields of Plenty!

Waves of thrushes have been hitting the country with good numbers being picked up inland. I expected to see a few at Epsom and Walton Downs today but how many would I find gorging on the multitude of bushes bearing berries.

I took a now familiar route which initially takes me past the Grandstand down to Langley Vale and Langley Bottom Farm and back up the lane to cover the fields surrounding Langley Vale Woods and back up through The Gallops and fields to Tattenham Corner.

There didn’t seem to be much movement overhead but the fields held good flocks of Chaffinch, Skylark, Linnet and Goldfinch. The fields with sacrificial crops were the most productive but it was a game of patience waiting for flocks to take to the skies so that I could sift through them.

Groups of Redwing were found in the berry copse with a few Fieldfare chacking as they moved from the treetops. A Mistle Thrush was the only candidate that did want to stick around for the paparazzi again announcing its arrival as I was sat on a bench refuelling!

A Red Kite was raptor of the day with Kestrel missing from the day list. It helped to stir up the fields which also had a Sparrowhawk patrolling them which helped with the count!

The farmer was out ploughing the fields which had attracted numerous gulls, starling, pigeons and Corvids who were taking full advantage of the disturbed cuisine. The Grandstand is always a good place to start with the gulls. A few Common Gull and Lesser Black Backed recorded today.

Epsom and Walton Downs - Moving House!

I carefully chose the day to visit Epsom and Walton Downs in the hope that I would catch some visible migration. I did not get there at stupid o clock preferring to wait for the sun to put his hat on in the hope that a bit of warmth would have the passerines showing and moving around within the area.

I was not disappointed as I ventured down to the Grandstand as an almost continuous trickle of House Martins made their way over the downs heading in the general direction of Epsom. The flow of Martins continued throughout the morning and were also viewed traversing Langley Bottom Farm in the same general direction. A handful of Sand Martin was also noted taking a lower trajectory over the farm. My estimate is very low as I chose to venture into patches of woodland in search of other species.

There was also plenty of Meadow Pipit on the downs moving around the edges of the paths. I stalked the main flock but could not find any other species amongst the birds. Linnet was also present in the area.

The day was a bit windy but very pleasant in the sunshine which had the Stonechat performing well in several areas of the site. Chiffchaff became more vocal as the morning progressed.

Gull numbers remain steady but I always sift through them just in case there is a Yellow Legged loafing with the Herring or a Med Gull in with the Black Headed Gulls. The above fits a 1^st winter Herring gull.

Good numbers of Buzzard were taking advantage of the warm thermals with Kestrel preferring fence post to eye up a potential meal. No Red Legged Partridge today but they could have been skulking in the longer grass.