31st January 2011

The usual weather forecast for white cloud was thankfully incorrect.

Cardington Green Sunrise

Apparently the weather was fine all day, unfortunately I was in the office so didn't see it.

The following images were taken before work in the vicinity of Riverside Pond at Priory Country Park.

Riverside Brook

Riverside Pond

The Great Ouse Downstream

The Great Ouse Upstream

Big Garden Birdwatch

An interesting hour spent in my rural Garden today to get my list.

One of the Blackbirds

My list for today:


Blackbird 8
Jackdaw 6
Magpie 2
Collared Dove 5
Long-tailed Tit 18
Great Tit 4
Blue Tit 6
Starling 10
Wood Pigeon 6
House Sparrow 8
Goldfinch 10
Chaffinch 3
Dunnock 4
Reed Bunting 3
Greenfinch 2
Robin 2
Song Thrush 1
Tree Sparrow 1


No Crows or Rooks during the hour but were some later in the day and the one notable absentee was Great Spotted Woodpecker. Good to see the Tree Sparrow and the Reed Buntings (2 male, 1 female). The Long-tailed Tits are now regular visitors, all arriving together to raid the 3 feed stations in unison.

Taken later in the day. I was standing about 2 feet away from the feeding station, trying to get a decent capture of a ground feeding Blackbird further up the garden. Whilst concentrating on this I became aware of the "chatter" of Long-tailed Tits all around me. They seemed completely oblivious to my presence and started feeding right next to me, I managed to get off a few shots and this is the best. In usual Long-tailed Tit fashion they were gone in a flash.

Jackdaw

Lots of Corvids in Cardington. By far the most numerous around the Green are Jackdaw (Corvus monedula), they Roost on St Mary's Church Tower and forage on the Green. They also drop into my garden whenever bread is available.


Here are  some pictures I took in the Summer.

Just love the blue of its eyes.

Priory CP

A quick 20 minute visit to Priory Country Park this morning on my way to work.


I later found out that there was a pair of Smew on the main lake while I was there, unfortunately they were not on the part  I was looking at! Ho hum.


A quick scan revealed Coot, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Black Headed Gull, Gt Crested Grebe, Gadwall & Pochard. No doubt there was plenty I missed apart from the Smew.


Here are a few rather scratchy images taken in what was still pretty poor light.

Priory Country Park in Search of the Kramer Hide

Being new to the Bedford Bird scene I went to find the Kramer Hide at Priory Marina, it was very overcast and quite late so this was more of a recky for future reference rather than a serious session. I found the hide without any trouble and would imagine this is a great vantage point in kinder weather.  There wasn't a lot of birds in view but just as I was about to leave there was a streak of azure as a Kingfisher flew from left to right in front of the hide, which cetainly brightened up the day no end.


Swans preening together on the beach on the main lake at Priory Country Park.

Canada Geese in large numbers also

During my short visit I also observed,  Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Black Headed Gull, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron and Pochard.

Long Tailed Tits

I find it fascinating to see Winter flocks of Long Tailed Tits arriving at the feed station in a flash, momentarily gorging on the peanuts and fat balls before dissapearing in an instant.

Not the best images in the world. For two days running 20 or so birds have whirled into my garden but on both occasions it was around 4pm and very dull, so all I've got to do now is get them to visit earlier and on a bright day ;)

This last image is included to show several Tits feeding at one time. I have witnessed 11 birds on this feeder at one sitting!

Priory Country Park

Nipped into Priory on my way home today and took the opportunity to get some pics of the Main Lake Mute Swans:

I also had a quick look at the Fingers Lake and found 3 Grey Herons with Mallards, Shoveller, Wigeon, Grt Crested Grebe, and Gadwall

Dull, Dull, Dull

A couple of "Woolly" captures in my Cardington garden today.

Sunset From Chandos Court

Just happened to be in Chandos Court as the sun was going down today.

You can see a larger version of this here.

Morning

Haven't got a lot of time to get out at the moment. I did enjoy a very quick stroll by the Great Ouse near to Riverside pond this morning and managed some fresh, frosty captures. The 1st picture however is of Cardington Green just before leaving for work.

Cardington Green

Great Ouse Upstream

Great Ouse Downstream

Galanthus

1st Snowdrop of the season.

Great Tit

Blue Tit

I've put up a feeder near the kitchen window and can get some decent captures through the glass. Only Blue Tits and Starlings visiting so far but I'm hopeful for something a bit different when the camera is close to hand.

Grey Grey Days

It's so dull and I can't get any decent images of wildlife so its down to a few pictures from around Roxton.

Treebeard

Grim

Arty Farty

Goldfinches A Go Go

The Goldfinches have moved on from the thistle feeder and have now taken a liking to Sunflower Hearts - they constantly squabble amongst themselves but do not stand much of a chance against the Greenfinches who also go for this particular delicacy. I just wish Sunflower hearts were cheaper ;)

Goldfinch

Greenfinch with Whole Sunflower Seeds having consumed my full supply of hearts

By the time I got out into the garden today the Sun (which had up to this point been conspicuous by it's absence) was shining right into my eyes making photographing the birds from my "hide" impossible. What to do? Well obvious really, take my redundant Christmas tree and place it next to a fir tree and with the sun behind me hide behind it to take some pictures. Either the birds are very trusting or a Christmas tree (minus the decorations) is great camouflage!  Do my neighbours think I'm barmy, of course they do!

Water Bird Round Up 2010

Nothing out of the ordinary..