It came as a great and welcome surprise to see the mighty Stutton lying second on one of the inaugural Patchwork Challenge tables last week. Admittedly, the table was formed from only 75 of the 200 or so Patches entered, so for all I know the other 125 could be sitting on 100+ species already and were just waiting until the month end to put their scores in. Maybe they were doing the right thing and actually birding rather than blogging about it.
Since the NYD thrash around for 76 species, matters have slowed down considerably. At the time of writing I have edged up to 90 species with the only additional two-pointer being a red-head Smew from the hides on Alton Water. Still present today so the vice-Chairman of S.M.O.G. tells me. Unfortunately for me, the five Eider that I saw off the barge a fortnight ago where just outside my patch, but fortunately for my neighbour Richard, they were in his (Holbrook). In the spirit of fairplay, I did phone him and he was able to add this Stour Estuary mega to his list for two points.
My two-point tally is represented so far by that Smew, the Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe and, for us southerners, the generously handicapped Little Egret and Dark-bellied Brent Goose. I am rather disappointed that Pink-footed Goose only scores one point - but we can't have it all our own way. Richard on the other hand has jammed a Waxwing opposite his house and more skilfully picked up a Firecrest and several other two-pointers. I am not at all bitter that he saw this in an area where our Patches overlap.
On the "Need it" list still and what I would judge to be realistically attainable over the next 5-6 weeks are Kingfisher, Goosander, Linnet (what is the world coming to), Avocet, Grey Wagtail, Little Owl, Barn Owl and Water Rail. Other stuff that is around and could do me the kindness of showing up are Shag, Common Scoter, Long-tailed Duck (becoming more of a long shot), Marsh Harrier and Scaup. Another scarce grebe or diver would be nice, as would a grey goose (Tundra Bean or White-front please). The herd of 500 plastic Greylags has so far delivered the aforementioned Pink-foot and a bonus Barnacle. I might have to go and torch some fields for Woodcock as well. So if all of that lot puts in a show, we should still be flying high.
*This is where I refer you back to the title. You know how it is at the start of the football season (or any other sport you care to follow), when a team outside of the big four has a good start and then they just tail off. Stutton and Holbrook, I fear, are in that bracket. They are very good winter birding spots, but if you want a slice of migrant heaven, look elsewhere. Or maybe, just maybe, I shall be singing a different tune by the end of May...
Collared Flycatcher anyone?
Monday, 21 January 2013
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
One for Sorrow
After a thirteen year break, I am back on the listing game. As far as I am concerned though, this is an entirely admirable and green one. Three square kilometres all within an easy cycle of the front door. The Patchwork Challenge was duly accepted in Stutton and after a late New Year's Eve night, I was out the door on the bike at 7.30. Two years ago on New Year's Day I had gone round the village and amassed 76 species - surely with a more concerted effort this time around I was going to stroll in to 80+ territory?
There were several birds in the patch that needed targeting as there was no guarantee they would be around in the future. My plan was to work the parts of Alton Water that lie within the Stutton parish boundary first - which fortunately includes the hides in Larch Wood; then down to Stutton Ness for Slavonian Grebes (the best site for this species in eastern England don't you know) and then finish off at Stutton Mill for the high tide wader roost and the possibility of an owl or two.
There was a bite in the wind, but the sky was clear and so, unfortunately, was the Dam end of the reservoir where I was hoping to see the majestic Great Northern Diver that had been around for a week or so. Recompense came with a Pink-footed Goose that flew in with the Greylag flock. My only other village pink-foot was on NYD two years ago. On that day, I also had a female Ruddy Duck - I haven't seen one since.
Passing the cafe, there was no sign of any Waxwings that had been around on Christmas Eve, but some welcome wheezy notes allowed me to tick off Brambling. A potentially tricky bird for such a compact patch.
Next stop was the hides for the four Smew that had been frequenting Larchwood Bay. They weren't around either - maybe there were in conference with the diver somewhere? By the time I left the hides at 9.15 I was up to 45 species and things seemed promising. A quick stop at my Uncle's house added Tree Sparrow and Lesser Redpoll. House Sparrow came after and was my 51st species. What a sorry state of affairs I thought.
After a quick family stop off, I was out the door ready for Stutton Ness when I got a text to say that the diver had appeared back at the dam. So off I went. (patchchallenge)Tick!
I didn't reach Stutton Ness until Midday and the Slavonian Grebes took an age to appear. The chop on the water didn't help and the low, strong, winter sunshine also inhibiting viewing. That's my excuse for not seeing Shag or Long-tailed Duck anyway. One day I will get to Stutton Ness and see Shorelark or Snow Bunting, but New Year's Day there is a veritable Piccadilly Circus. A Rock Pipit obliged by dropping in for number 70.
Most 'daylist' days, have their blackspots and mine, regrettably, was Stutton Mill. By the time I was there just after 2pm the wind was stronger still and the tide was very high. Poor judgement on my part. I was only able to add a measly four waders, but Bar-wit, Avovet and Pintail all eluded me. So what next? I decided to hack it up the hill and back to the hides to see if the Smew had reappeared. A strip of game cover en-route enabled me to add Reed Bunting for 75, but I was still shy of Grey Heron, Fieldfare, Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Canada Goose and Magpie! Why, oh why should I be getting upset about seeing a Magpie? For the second time, the hides drew a Smew-blank and I was left with a last desperate look for the Waxwings around the now much-busier car park. No joy, but I did see a Magpie.
There were several birds in the patch that needed targeting as there was no guarantee they would be around in the future. My plan was to work the parts of Alton Water that lie within the Stutton parish boundary first - which fortunately includes the hides in Larch Wood; then down to Stutton Ness for Slavonian Grebes (the best site for this species in eastern England don't you know) and then finish off at Stutton Mill for the high tide wader roost and the possibility of an owl or two.
There was a bite in the wind, but the sky was clear and so, unfortunately, was the Dam end of the reservoir where I was hoping to see the majestic Great Northern Diver that had been around for a week or so. Recompense came with a Pink-footed Goose that flew in with the Greylag flock. My only other village pink-foot was on NYD two years ago. On that day, I also had a female Ruddy Duck - I haven't seen one since.
Passing the cafe, there was no sign of any Waxwings that had been around on Christmas Eve, but some welcome wheezy notes allowed me to tick off Brambling. A potentially tricky bird for such a compact patch.
Next stop was the hides for the four Smew that had been frequenting Larchwood Bay. They weren't around either - maybe there were in conference with the diver somewhere? By the time I left the hides at 9.15 I was up to 45 species and things seemed promising. A quick stop at my Uncle's house added Tree Sparrow and Lesser Redpoll. House Sparrow came after and was my 51st species. What a sorry state of affairs I thought.
After a quick family stop off, I was out the door ready for Stutton Ness when I got a text to say that the diver had appeared back at the dam. So off I went. (patchchallenge)Tick!
I didn't reach Stutton Ness until Midday and the Slavonian Grebes took an age to appear. The chop on the water didn't help and the low, strong, winter sunshine also inhibiting viewing. That's my excuse for not seeing Shag or Long-tailed Duck anyway. One day I will get to Stutton Ness and see Shorelark or Snow Bunting, but New Year's Day there is a veritable Piccadilly Circus. A Rock Pipit obliged by dropping in for number 70.
Most 'daylist' days, have their blackspots and mine, regrettably, was Stutton Mill. By the time I was there just after 2pm the wind was stronger still and the tide was very high. Poor judgement on my part. I was only able to add a measly four waders, but Bar-wit, Avovet and Pintail all eluded me. So what next? I decided to hack it up the hill and back to the hides to see if the Smew had reappeared. A strip of game cover en-route enabled me to add Reed Bunting for 75, but I was still shy of Grey Heron, Fieldfare, Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Canada Goose and Magpie! Why, oh why should I be getting upset about seeing a Magpie? For the second time, the hides drew a Smew-blank and I was left with a last desperate look for the Waxwings around the now much-busier car park. No joy, but I did see a Magpie.
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