Mealy Redpoll

Birding is a funny old game, today's outing was to Warnham LNR near Horsham to connect with the Mealy Redpoll reported on SOS. We waited patiently for the bird to arrive and more than once we deemed a bird on the feeders to be of the Lesser variety when in all probability it was the Mealy. Later, with a fairly large gathering of experienced birders present the bird alighted on the feeders and was judged by all to be Mealy.

I dislike photographs of birds on feeders but in this case I had to make an exception as it only came to the feeder, ignoring branches close by. Also, a shame that the promised sunshine barely showed, all the shots having to be taken with high ISO, not the best but at least decent record shots.

 

 Nice to see some Siskins present - the first this year.

And an obliging Treecreeper

Siskin City

Today I had to attend a "Technical Off Site Meeting" in Crawley, TOSM being my old workplace euphemism for lunch at the pub. So I thought that I could kill two birds with one stone, a visit to Warnham LNR at Horsham with the chance of catching a Brambling and a chance to catch up with old work colleagues.

I arrived at Warnham dead on 1000, unfortunately in the pouring rain and dreadful light. As I made my way to the Woodpecker hide it was obvious from the noise from the surrounding trees that there were plenty of birds about. I'm not sure whether I am using the wrong deodorant but this is the second birding trip in a row where I have had exclusive use of  the hide.

The numbers of Siskins were much like a carpet on the ground in front of the hide, interspersed with Lesser Redpolls, truly astounding. Further back, settled on a carpet of seeds were Chaffinches with three Bramblings in attendance. The birds were quite skittish at times, not surprising as the local Sparrowhawk probably can't believe his luck, the best stocked raptor larder in the south of England. Although the rain eased off the light remained poor and capturing sharp images was difficult. Around midday I was joined by Bill Brooks who obviously had read the report on SOS too. On the way out I met Dorian - great minds thinking alike or fools not differing??

 

No "Brambling on a stick" shot, just on the ground amidst a pile of food.

 

 

The hardest working members of staff at Warnham

Finally thanks to Kevin for reminding me that it is three years to the day since I retired, talk about time flying by!!

Garden Ticks

The ever increasing Goldfinch flock (30+) brought two new garden ticks with it this week. First a lone Siskin and today two Lesser Redpolls. A real shame that the light was so bad but at least the event was recorded. The Nuthatch has remained and visits the feeders most days. Coal Tits are breeding residents hereabouts but following reports on SOS I have been monitoring for a "Continental" Periparus ater ater, the ones seen in the garden are both Periparus ater brittanicus - we live in hope.

 

A frame grabbed from what might have been a decent video had I turned on the mic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Just for good measure here is a Periparus ater hibernicus