I took my camera with me on my winter bird survey this morning so that I could show my route in photographs. I took so many that I will be posting this in three parts. So, I started my survey in Buckland Dinham village, that's my car parked along the lane.
A bit further along this lane there is a pathway through to some cow pasture (yes, I know I had said I would try NOT to do any more surveys that involved walking through cow pasture, but I took this one on before making that decision!) (-:
Actually, most of the cows took no notice of me and just got on with what they do best, which is eat!
However, I did race this one to the gate and managed to get there just ahead of it. I think you can just about see the whites around its eyes! I'm sure my friend Roy would just say it was trying to be friendly! (-:
Walking through one field, I was chuffed to find a pair of Stonechats together. Here is the female.
And here is the smart male. Stonechats are usually very cooperative and will perch up quite nicely, but this particular male was being a bit shy at first. I tried pishing which didn't work too well (never does work for me). Eventually, he did perch up for a couple of shots, but I couldn't spend as much time as I wanted as I was on a timed tetrad visit.
At the end of that field I entered another country lane and came across this lovely patch of autumn colour in the hedgerow.
There has been quite a bit of rain recently which made for mucky conditions (I'll deal with this more in a later post). Along this lane, I was pleased to come across 4 Tree Sparrows. They have declined badly over recent years, so to find them here was great.
I'll continue my journey around the fields and lanes of Buckland Dinham tomorrow.
A bit further along this lane there is a pathway through to some cow pasture (yes, I know I had said I would try NOT to do any more surveys that involved walking through cow pasture, but I took this one on before making that decision!) (-:
Actually, most of the cows took no notice of me and just got on with what they do best, which is eat!
However, I did race this one to the gate and managed to get there just ahead of it. I think you can just about see the whites around its eyes! I'm sure my friend Roy would just say it was trying to be friendly! (-:
Walking through one field, I was chuffed to find a pair of Stonechats together. Here is the female.
And here is the smart male. Stonechats are usually very cooperative and will perch up quite nicely, but this particular male was being a bit shy at first. I tried pishing which didn't work too well (never does work for me). Eventually, he did perch up for a couple of shots, but I couldn't spend as much time as I wanted as I was on a timed tetrad visit.
At the end of that field I entered another country lane and came across this lovely patch of autumn colour in the hedgerow.
There has been quite a bit of rain recently which made for mucky conditions (I'll deal with this more in a later post). Along this lane, I was pleased to come across 4 Tree Sparrows. They have declined badly over recent years, so to find them here was great. I'll continue my journey around the fields and lanes of Buckland Dinham tomorrow.
6 comments:
This is great Jenny! I had to laugh about the cow though!! I don't blame you for running and I'm glad you won! The Stonechat is just beautiful and I should be seeing Tree Sparrows soon! I'm looking forward to more.
That's an interesting start to your report Jen.
The Stonechat photos are really good and you were lucky to see Tree Sparrows (they are a bit rare around here)
That Cow is a good judge of character and just wanted to meet you - honest. {:)
You have chosen a really good patch to study. Look forward to the rest of your account.
Hi Evie, I tried more for a dignified fast walk rather than run flat out! (-:
Hi Roy, yes, I'm sure it just wanted to make friends, maybe next time in Jan/Feb......
Enjoying this so much! I really like the empty paths and road views, but the birds -- gosh-darn, wish I could capture our feathered friends with my camera!
Hi Christine, but you can! What about the lovely Steller's Jay you got the other day.
Beautiful color in both the leaves and the birds. I'm sorry I laughed about you running from the cow. I've read some of your other comments with Roy about you and cows :-) Maybe you have an invisible sign on you that only cows can read saying, "chase me".....the cow version of "kick me".
Post a Comment