The sight of flocks of Waxwings continues unabated. We had been out to check on the allotment which is still covered in snow and came across a flock of about 200 flying from tree to tree across the busy A57. Certainly brightened up a dull winter’s day.
We had a trip to Potteric Carr yesterday and apparently so did Pete Mella of Sheffield Wildlife. Pete has an interesting blog about Sheffield bird watching. It was very interesting to compare our lists of the birds seen.
Potteric Carr was a little cold and muddy on the paths but watching Bittern hiding in the reed beds and the Kingfisher fishing made up for the slip sliding around the newer paths on Huxter Well.
We didn’t see a Water Rail which we had hoped to but did watch the Bittern and Kingfisher from close range for some time. The Caspian Gull was also seen but as rare as it may be I get much more enjoyment from seeing Bitterns.
The full list. Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Moorhen, Coot, Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Bittern, Kingfisher, Magpie, Shelduck, Heron, Carrion Crow, Mute Swan, Shoveller, Mallard, Gadwell, Teal, Pheasant, Tree Creeper, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Caspian Gull, Jay, Redwing, Starling, Pied Wagtail, Cormorant.
As autumn approaches it’s time to get digging and turning over the soil. When I look back to this time last year we were faced with 5 feet tall wild garden. As you can see it was a desperate site.
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Mongabay