Saturday 8 January 2011

First Patch Walk.

My first patch walk at Epsom and Ashstead Common yesterday didn't start until early afternoon when there was a break in the constant rain showers. The fishing pond held just 6 Mallard and the Great Pond looked even bleaker until I spotted a distant Grey Heron and then a Cormorant on sentry duty. 
Skirting around and then through the woodlands produced Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Blackbird, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits, one Goldcrest, several Nuthatch, Woodpigeon and noisy overflying Parakeets. Scanning towards Rushett Farm I picked out a single Pheasant, two Moorhen and a few Black-headed Gulls plus two Redwings.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers were constantly announcing their location from their high perches.
I eventually caught up with one a little lower down and feeding much higher up was, the best find of the day, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker who regretfully defied the camera!   FAB.

18 comments:

  1. Nice afternoon you had! Love that last WP photo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like you had a enjoyable day Frank.
    By look of images,a very rewarding day also.
    Happy Birding.
    John.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Franck!
    Such a lobg time without visiting blogs *shame on me* I just drop by to wish you a wonderful 2011. May it bring you birds, sun in addition to the sincerly best wishes.
    Val

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Frank.. I like the photo of the Comorant,not everyone finds them pretty,but I do like the pattern of there feathers on there back,and a great pose he has there!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the woodpeckers Frank. Something about woodpeckers. They have such stark contrast of color. Carol

    ReplyDelete
  7. The wings on your cormorant are so different from the wings on the one I see at the pond. Love the woodpecker too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like you spent an enjoyable afternoon birding. Lovely sightings! Terrific photo of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (I have never seen one before). A pleasure to view your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice birding trip eh.. :) Love the colors on that woody.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like a great birding day Frank, great shots and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker to boot dont get much better.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pleasant walk by the sounds of it. Congrats on the Lesser Spotted... still on my "much wanted" list and would be a lifer for me!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great bird to find, that LSW Frank, well done mate!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love the shot of the woodpecker. Didn't know there could be so many. Glad you spotted the lesser!! Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Apologies to theconstantwalker

    .. for some reason Andrew your comments (below) failed to publish:

    I had just the same experience with the GSW while getting my Treespotter photos. Lots of drumming then calling from high in the trees. Lovely birds.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Everyone.

    I have to admit that I hear more Woodies than I see so being able to watch the Lesser feeding was a definite highlight. Maybe next time it will perch for a portrait but I won't hold my breath!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful images as always. Thank you for sharing with us.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Well done with the Lesser Spotted Frank. A bird I'd love to see.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I sure love that woodpecker. Had one at my feeder and missed the little guy.

    ReplyDelete

I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails