Wednesday, May 07, 2008
The firecrest was singing at 10 o'clock this morning - but was not seen. I stood outside listening (he was "over the road" but very close) and clearly heard the "sirr" (BWP) at the end. I'm fairly confident now in separating the firecrest's song from a goldcrest's - which is useful, since the firecrest is increasingly difficult to see.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
An early morning visit down the bottom of the estate produced (all singing) blackcap, chiffchaff, whitethroat and firecrest. The firecrest looked very bright against the dark holly; the ravages of domestic life are yet to come.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
A beautiful male Montagu's harrier was hunting along the downs as we arrived, and Greger grabbed this shot soon after we started walking.
We lunched to the sound of curlews calling, and saw five of them flying in the distance. Soon afterwards we saw three wheatears.
On the return stretch, two barn owls materialised from the hedgerow and floated along the green track ahead of us.
A distant bird of prey had very light grey upperparts with dark wingtips - possibly another Montagu's.
