19th December 2024

 A fleeting visit this afternoon to confirm the Barnacle Goose (7) were still there and a catch up with Phil and his son.

17th December 2024

I spent most of the morning on the water meadows. The Barnacle Goose (7) were present from dusk until early morning. Cattle Egret (2) flew onto the meadows flew off east returning to the area late morning.

Wigeon (249) counts were up with additional (40) birds at the North end of Waterbarn Cottages. A large flock of Lapwing (255) arrived to join birds on the meadows mid morning.

Egyptian Goose (3) the pair was displaying with a third bird circling above the pair before it departed.

A Green Sandpiper was noted on the flood NW of Causeway Pond.

A Peregrine was determined to make a meal out of a Lapwing that had become separated from the flock. The raptor passed low over the heads of the Wigeon that had huddled together on a pool but the bird continued to pursue the Lapwing instead of grabbing what appeared to be the easier option! 

Kestrel Female

NB: Pictures are limited as I have not mastered the new camera. Watching videos and assistance from Pete Coe today. 

 

15th December 2024

WeBS and winter finch counts;-

WeBS Site totals:- Goosander (2), Barnacle Goose (7), Canada Geese (151), Lapwing (152), Snipe (2), Wigeon (225), Teal (182), Mallard (52), Mute Swan (17), Moorhen (5), Little Grebe (4), Cormorant (4), Grey Heron (3), Little Egret (10), Cattle Egret (2), Common Gull (7), Black-headed Gull (25),Herring Gull (47), Buzzard (2), Kestrel (1), Barn Owl (1).

Winter finch Site totals:- Yellowhammer (135), Reed Bunting (31), Linnet (75), Chaffinch (245),Goldfinch (20), Bullfinch (6), Robin (10), Stonechat (4), House Sparrow (42), Blackbird (14), Skylark (10), Collared Dove (12)

13th December 2024

I spent most of the day walking the fields looking for flocks of finches. The mixed seed fields at Little and Big Straps is holding around 300 finches. Activity on the feeding stations is also building up. 

Site Counts; Brambling, Yellowhammer (79), Reed Bunting (27), Chaffinch (132), Goldfinch (11), Greenfinch (6), Linnet (75), House Sparrow (40).

Skylark (25) Chalk pit field 15 Barge Field 10, 

Water levels are still high on the meadows Geese; Egyptian (2), Greylag (2), Canada (105), 

A flock of Meadow Pipit (26) were mobile at Athelhampton.

Greylag Goose

12th December 2024

A good start to the day with Cattle Egret (3) with a flock of Little Egret (21) in the fields at Causeway pond moving east behind Athelhampton House. A Green Sandpiper was on the banks of the River Piddle.

Other counts:- Wigeon (110), Teal (58), Lapwing (93), Canada Goose (130), Kingfisher, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull (41),

The mixed seed fields at Big and Little Straps saw finch numbers increase as the day progressed. A couple of Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were noted hunting in the fields. 

Reed Bunting (27), Yellowhammer (29), Chaffinch (85), Greenfinch (5), Goldfinch (12), House Sparrow (55), 

Mute Swan

NB: Took the new camera out and had a disaster!

8th December 2024

Storm Darragh hit the UK yesterday and winds were recorded up to 90mph causing widespread damage across the UK. 

The wildfowl numbers have dropped on the water meadows with a few gulls practicing aerobatics in the wind.

The pair of Egyptian Goose (2) were on the meadows at Athelhampton. 

Other counts:- Canada Goose (140), Lapwing (80), Wigeon (110), Teal (35), Little Egret (3), Snipe (2), 

Canada Goose

6th December 2024

Calm conditions today and quieter with limited gull movements in the area. The Canada Goose were evenly distributed between the water meadows and Athelhampton. Wildfowl were spread along the course of the River Piddle and flooded margins. A pair of Otter were observed bounding across the flooded meadows.

Other counts:- Shoveler 1m, Tufted Duck 1wF, Canada Goose (278), Wigeon (100), Teal (70)

Tufted Duck