Groundhog Day

Merry Christmas, Folks!  Yesterday, 24 species on my usual walk, today 23.  Largely the same list, the only difference was a flock of 80 Fieldfare just now, but very few of these 24 hours ago.  Two Grey Partridge too, and a possible Lap Bunting over.  I spent some time yesterday here, trying to learn the call that got Newton Stringer so ornithologically orgasmic, but the bird was high so I guess I'll never know.  It was last seen flying south over the sub-station (there's a challenge for the Three Wise Men - find that Bunt!).

Where's Roy Castle When You Need Him?

Went on a dog-less stroll this pm around my patch - this aspect of birding is quickly becoming addictive, seeing whether or not I can beat the record.  Earlier?  Failure!  2pm > 320pm - success!
1/2/3 Gulls - BH/C/H
4/5 Tits - B/G
6/7/8/9 Finches - B/Go/C/Gr
10 Crow
11 House Sparrow
12 Dunnock
13 Kestrel
14 Sparrowhawk
15 Buzzard
16 Mipit
17 Wood Pigeon
18 Collared Dove
19 Magpie
20 Pheasant
21 Heron
22 Fieldfare
23 Snipe (inc. one over my street)
24 Blackbird
25 Stonechat
26 Wren
27 Robin


Record of 22 smashed!!

The ice on the Flashes was over two inches thick and could often take my full weight!  Good Lord, it's Eskimo Gord!

The Three Wise Men

A bit like my current football team's form, or should it be my football team's current form, today's WHIE sortee started off well but petered out and was ultimately dissappointing.  Fourteen species before the end of Horton Burn but the final count was a Scrooge-like 17.   In a festive fashion, my patch was invaded by the Crameltonian Magi - Crammy, Steve and Dee McE, but they were gift-less.  Only a mere Grey Heron, a Mipit and Mistle Thrush were added to the day's running total, hardly the ornithological equivalent of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh!  Anyway, the dog's resting now, so I am going back for a second go, with camera and bins.  Hopefully, the Red Kite seen at 11.30 today (and betcha bottom dollar it'll be Lucky Crammy who 'bagged' it!) might pop in.