Saturday, February 22, 2014

Spring at last!!....And Stunning Two-barred...

With a gorgeous sunny,spring like morning on offer this morning,i travelled over to Barton to have a wander about in the lovely weather.I began by walking around Water's Edge,with nothing really unusual being seen,but some lovely views of Siskin,Gold and Bullfinches and several Shelduck and Cormorant heading west up river along with a couple of Oystercatcher.The Siskins were watched in some Waterside Alders,with the male of a pair i watched trying his up most best to impress his potential mate,with his wheezy song.They gave superb,point blank views,but in the shade,hence no photos,but great views all the same.A well timed or not well timed text,as i was at Barton,saw me heading again for Forest Pines and the male Two-barred.Apparently according to Graham he had been showing well,but i couldn't find him at first or anyone else looking for that matter,but by chance he flew in with 3 Commons.The birds landed in a tall beech,dropping into the bough to drink,a habit i had seen Hawfinches do here many years ago,before i lost them all again in a nearby Spruce.He then appeared again above my head and over the next hour or so i was treated to some stunning scope views as he prized seeds from the Cones.It was great to be able to study this bird at close range,the more orangy plumage from an adult bird,big wing bars,white tertial tips and smaller delicate bill being noticeable.He is beginning to acquire some adult red feathers on the neck sides and head,and he was also heard sub-singing for a while,what a cracking little bird and ten minutes from home,brilliant!!.Other sightings here included 2 Common Buzzard enjoying the warm thermals,at least 10 Common Crossbills,Nuthatch and on the way back to the car my first butterfly of the year a Peacock.What a superb few hours out and about in the lovely weather.
Adult Black-headed Gull,Water's Edge CP,Barton.


Coot,Water's Edge CP,Barton.

Coot,Water's Edge CP,Barton.

Goldfinch,Water's Edge CP,Barton.

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