Monday 13th
Spent the morning checking out my local patch for spring migrants. I was surprised to hear a Little Ringed Plover calling as I approached the bridge at the railway station. It seemed to circle the area a couple of times before heading off towards Wicken still calling all the time. This was a new species for my local patch which was a great way to start the day.
Whitethroat were calling from a number of locations although proved elusive to see. Cetti's, Blackcap and Chiffchaff were all present but still no Swallows!
Skylark continues to sing from over Soham Mere and the local Song Thrush was also singing.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S321033169
Bluey Update
The Blue Tit that has been roosting in the camera box started building it's nest on the 30th March and continued to build and perfect up until 13th April.
On checking the recordings this morning a single egg was present in the nest.
Bluey Update: Thursday 16th April
Camera check this afternoon showed that Bluey now has three eggs. She has been very good at keeping them covered but this afternoon (time) she had left them uncovered.
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| Thursday 16th: 17.25: Three Eggs Uncovered. |
Ixworth Park: Thursday 16th
Waking/Birding Route around Ixworth NT
Dropped off this morning at the gates of Ixworth Estate to walk the perimeter of the estate. Plenty of birds singing in the woods with Blackcap being present throughout the walk along with the near constant song of Chiffchaff.
Blue Tit were present in large numbers with good numbers of Great Tit and a few Long-tailed Tit. Throughout the walk I made quite a few recordings of bird song with Merlin. I did get a couple of strange results, one being Bitten!
At the end of Lady Katherine Woods in a small clearing I got a fleeting glimpse of a male Common Redstart. Merlin had picked up a brief call earlier but I had dismissed it so it a bit of a surprise to find one even for the briefest of glimpses.
Spent a little while watching a cheeky Grey Squirrel. Its partner was in an old woodpecker hole but wouldn't poke its head out for a photo!
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| Cheeky Squirrel |
