So it was time to put in some hard work to try and find the winter specialties that were missing. Great Grey Shrikes are hit or miss, and just recently they have definitely been miss. This morning I met Ian at the Puttles Bridge car park. From here we set out across Crab Tree Earth towards Holm Hill. A Great Grey Shrike has been present here on and off through the winter, and was seen at the early part of last week. While not as warm as it has been, it was still a mild morning, there was a lot of cloud about, and there had been some drizzle when I arrived, but as we crossed the heather there were signs that it would clar up, and the forecast at least was for it to be dry.
Meadow Pipits called from above and in the heather, and around the gorse bushes there were Stonechats calling. As we turned towards Holm Hill a group of Fallow Deer appeared on the ridge behind us, heading off through the heather.
Holm Hill is a raised piece of ground in amongst set between two bogs, Holmhill and Crab Tree bog. The ground being sandy there were a good stand of Scots Pine, and the usual gorse. Blackbirds fed at the base of the gorse, and we could hear Robins, Wrens, and Dunnocks singing.
Coming through the trees were were able to get a view across Crab Tree bog, in the distance a line of Birch trees, the shrike has been frequenting this area all last week, but this morning there was no sign of anything other than a Carrion Crow.
We stood scanning the area, looking for that little patch of white at the top of a bush or tree, trying to turn distant lichen into a bird, knowing in our hearts that it wasn't what we were looking for.
The sun slowly broke through transforming the dark brown grass and heather into a golden mat laid out before us.
However as we walked through it it resembled more of a sponge than a mat. Using the denser clumps of grass to walk on we crossed the bog, and made our way to a track that turned to cross the stream that the birch trees were lining, all the time scanning and looking for the elusive shrike on the tree tops
We had now moved into another bog, this one called Duckhole bog, which turned out to be apt as we approached the foot bridge a Mallard startled us as it flew out of a small pool created by the stream.
As we crossed the bridge we heard what sounded like a Toad calling. After a search around the stream Ian finally found a Toad, whether this was the one that was calling was hard to tell, but it was a toad., hanging with its nose and eyes just above the water
Toads only return to the water to breed, spending there time on land in damp places. At this time of year they move on mass to the place where they emerged from tadpoles. This process is just starting, and the Toads will all meet up soon.
We crossed the bridge, and headed north towards Ferny Knap Inclosure. There were more Meadow Pipits about and a few singing Reed Buntings, but no sign of the shrike. We remained optimistic, crossing another footbridge as we headed towards Clumber Inclosure, then crossing Crab Tree bog once more. The track took us through a copse that crossed more streams. As we approached the trees we could hear tits calling in branches and I managed to see this Marsh Tit through the branches singing.
The still water of the pools formed from the stream reflected the tree branches
The Track took us back towards Holm Hill, and we re-traced our steps we had come along earlier. We were still scanning the area, but by now were a little less optimistic, and it was reducing by the minute. The path crosses Silver Stream, and around the area was plenty of Gorse. A Stonechat called from the top of a bush, in the back ground dark clouds had formed despite the earlier sunshine, and it made the picture better to be seen in black and white
Heading back to the road we disturbed a Snipe from the boggy area, and as we watched it fly off into the distance I heard a Lapwing call. The Lapwing was stood in the middle of the grass and heather, just watching us
Once again the shrike had proved to be a miss. Chances are that with the good weather it has moved on, but this bird has been seen on and off before and could be still about, it is a vast area and it could just be hiding somewhere we didn't look.
We decided to move on, and crossed the A35 on to the Bolderwood Ornamental Drive. WE were heading for Mark Ash Wood, and this time to try and find Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Ian had seen one the previous weekend, so I was hoping I could be lucky this weekend. Mark Ash Wood is a yearly pilgrimage in search of the smallest British Woodpecker, however I can't say we have been that successful in previous years. We crossed the road from the car park, and walked down amongst the Beech trees. Stock Doves called all around us, and there was of course singing Robins and the odd burst of Wren.
We heard drumming from two areas, but on reaching where we thought it came from it stopped. Plenty of birds were feeding in amongst the dead Beech leaves. I stopped to photograph a Song Thrush.
As I was watching the Song Thrush Ian called, he had found a Brambling, and it had flown from the puddles after bathing to the surrounding trees. The light was appalling but you can see it is a Brambling in this record shot
There were a few more about, at least three, we could see there white rumps as they flew from the beech leaves and into the trees with the Chaffinches.
W decided on a strategy of just standing and listening. Above us Buzzards called, and a Wren appeared in amongst the fallen branches and rattled out a loud burst of song
The sun was breaking through transforming the dull browns of the fallen beech leaves into something warmer and appealing.
The leafless trees casting long shadows on the ground
As I stood watching the Chaffinches in the beech leaves I heard a familiar song behind me. I had heard it last week but never managed to catch up with the owner, this week I was determined to get some pictures. I finally found the owner as it moved through the branches switching from bursts of song to fly catching around the lichen covering the branches of a holly tree, a beautiful Firecrest
There were in fact two birds present, and every so often a scuffle would break out, and one would be chased off. The sunshine enhanced the appearance of this stunning little bird
We wandered further into the wood with the buzzards calling above us. At a clearing in the trees it was possible to see the Buzzards and it was clear only one was calling, this, being the male I presume would circle just above the trees, spreading both wings and tail out wide
Then gaining height and pulling the wings in to stoop over the tree tops before pulling up and gliding out over the trees again
What has to be the female would just fly around the trees silently seemingly unimpressed by the display
As we watched the Buzzard display we could hear the calls of Raven, but were never able to see the bird.
As we walked away the Buzzards continued to fly around and call, the rest of the wood had fallen quiet and we wondered if the presence, both physically and vocally of the Buzzards was the reason for this, the smaller birds hiding away.
There is one Beech tree in the wood that over the years we have photographed as a clump of daffodils grow at the base, in between base of the tree. They were there today, but this time the flowers were just beginning to go over, another product of the warmth over the last week
I crossed the main path once again, and headed to the area where we had watched the Chaffinches earlier, a Roe Deer passed me, and I followed trying to get a little closer. This took me almost to the road. There was a group of birds feeding on the ground, and I stopped to watch them, one flew up with a white rump, and perched briefly in a tree, long enough for me to confirm it was a Brambling, and call to Ian before it flew off and out of sight.
However there was a singing Firecrest once again in a different location to earlier, and the chance for some more pictures
Checking under the Yew leaves for insects
A wing stretch
And a view of the fiery crest.
One of my favourite little birds
Back at the car park we could still hear the Stock Doves, and finally one just showed enough for a record shot at the top of one of the trees
From Mark Ash wood we set off for Acres Down, deciding, as I did last weekend, to park at Millyford Bridge. As we walked along the main track alongside Highland water, the sun was out, it felt quite warm, and we were half expecting to see butterflies. We headed up on to Acres Down, walking around the gorse in search of Woodlark. Mistle Thrush were about, a group of four birds calling from a clump of trees.
As we came out on to the main path Ian flushed a bird that flew up, the flight was slightly undulating and the tail was very short, but it then burst into song, a Woodlark, and it dropped back to the ground behind the gorse bushes. We re-found it, but it was off again, and we could not relocate it.
We then headed towards the view point, and almost immediately came across another Woodlark, this time the bird was more confiding, and we were able to get some decent pictures as it foraged around the edge of the well cut grass.
On the ground the main feature is the buffy white eye stripe that extends to the neck, it also has a crest, but never once raised it. Mostly it is a resident bird but is seen more frequently at this time of year. They will nest on the ground, forming a shallow scrape beneath a grassy tussock or heather bush. The song is delivered in flight, and from scattered trees or bushes.
Walking on a little further we found the bird once again, this time patrolling the edge of the path, and the heater.
Here you can see how the eye stripe extends around the neck
Finally it was disturbed by dogs that came around from the viewing point and it flew off.
The wind was picking up, and the sunshine had turned more watery, a change was coming in the weather. We scanned the skyline from the viewing point, and I picked up a Goshawk, but this was very distant. I then lost it only for Ian to pick one up closer to the trees. It was flying up and down in loops, and was clearly displaying. We watched as it dived down into the trees and I followed int as it moved between the trees. As it came up above the trees once again it was joined by another, and they both gained height, coming out and above our heads. A couple of very distant record shots.
We could also hear it calling
We watched as they came close together
Then together they flew up and down over the trees before they parted and headed off in different directions
The views are always distant unfortunately, but we were treated to a real aerobatic display, both birds showing their skills and mastery of the air.
We walked around the down, and then headed down to the car park, and then along the main track, taking the circular route we had walked previously towards Highland Water.
Ian stopped me to point out a pair of Song Thrush by the side of the path.
Its not often you get the chance to get close to photograph a Song Thrush, normally quite a shy bird.
Ian also found a male Crossbill at the top of a Scots Pine
The remainder of the walk back to the car was in overcast conditions with an increasingly strong wind. Needless to say there was little bird song and no sightings to mention
Our final location was to be Eyeworth Pond, a regular site for Mandarin Duck, but when we arrived there was no sign of them, the only duck present were Mallard and singles of Gadwall and Teal, the Teal being chased out of the reeds by a very aggressive Moorhen.
There was no bird food in the feeders, but plenty of activity in and around the bushes. A Marsh Tit.
The Mandarin like locations where the trees go down close to the water, and tend to keep under cover. We finally managed to find one, and then quickly after that others became clearer. This pair in amongst the branches on the island.
Then for some reason they felt confident enough to come out in to the open water, the drake following the duck, and under taking some form of neck stretching display
It is possible that the duck were scared off by dogs,this being a popular spot for dog walkers. In total there were four pairs showing.
Stunning little ducks, with incredible colours, more recently one was found in Central Park in New York City and became an instant star, it is not surprising why
Then as quickly as they appeared they swam back to the cover of the branches
The Tits continued to entertain, some great close up views of Marsh Tits.
And a Coal Tit
Then one of the Mandarins returned for a final showing before we left.
An interesting day, we missed out on the Great Grey Shrike, and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, two birds that continue to frustrate, but there were some positives, a Brambling that was not on a feeder, and of course the superb Firecrests, the Woodlarks and Goshawk display at Acres Down, and finally the beautiful Mandarin Ducks. Spring is not too far away.
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