Sunday 8 May 2011

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

Lesser Whitethroat

ditto
ditto

Sedge Warbler

ditto

Willow Warbler

Avocet

Hare

ditto

Bluebells

Small Copper

ditto

Little Gull

ditto

ditto

1st Summer Caspian Gull or Yellow-legged Gull?

Lesser Whitethroat


The first bird heard and then seen by both classes, which also turned out to be the final bird encountered by both groups was a very confiding Lesser Whitethroat. This was a 'lifer' for some involved, and for the others was the best views of this species they've ever had. The morning session travelled to our best woodland, where many Garden Warblers were heard, and Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and a Whitethroat were heard. A Marsh Tit was identified from its sneeze by Andy, and various Red-legged Partridge were flushed. Rather surprisingly, there was no evidence that Green Woodpeckers survived the winter, and Great Spotted Woodpeckers weren't that noticeable either. A very distant Cuckoo was heard, but it never ventured very near. The downside of the morning were the vast numbers of mosquitoes and sweat flies which plagued the group! In view of this the afternoon session visited a different venue, where more than 40 species were either seen or heard. Again Green Woodpeckers were noticeable by their absence, but good views of Sedge and Willow Warblers were obtained. Some unusual gulls were in evidence, one was clearly a first-summer Little Gull, whilst the other was being freely described as a first summer Caspian Gull. However, after examining the photos James Spencer of Ornithological Idiocy believes this to be a Yellow-legged Gull. Keep an eye on his blog post on my Blog roll for further news on this bird. Several new 'students' attended on Friday, and they seemed suitably impressed by the birds present at both venues

2 comments:

Caroline Gill said...

A splendid collection. It was such a joy to see Hares on our treip to Yorkshire (Moors region ~ early April).

Caroline Gill said...

P.S. ... that should read 'trip' ...