Back from shopping, to find whitish feathers scattered in our back garden. A minute later a Sparrowhawk flew low across next doors garden and hopped over the fence and away
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Tuesday 12th of February 2019 05:24:30 PM
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
The large flock of goldfinch arrived again about 4.15pm landing in the trees then taking off again dozens of times as usual, however the numbers reduced and I noticed a sparrowhawk sat on the fence below the tree. The situation continued until 4.55 when the remaining 20+ birds dived into the bushes to roost. The sparrowhawk watched with interest, but at 5.00pm gave up and flew off.
70+ goldfinch roosting again last night. It seems that most of the goldfinch have formed into one large flock as we are getting very few on the feeders and we normally have about a dozen regular visitors.
70+ goldfinch in a compact group in a tree at the bottom of the garden suddenly flew into the air and dived into a large holly bush/tree to roost. Looked like a mini version of starlings diving into a reed bed! 4.15pm today. Never seen them roost here before.
Quite a sight! They come for the Rimsdale Walk berry trees every year, and have been here in small numbers since early December, but I have never seen this many Fieldfare here before. Estimated number, present at around 1pm, 120 to 130 Moving between the berry trees(50) and the adjacent school playing field (70) and the grass by the Community Hall.
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
Still 2 male and 2 female bullfinch in the garden every day. They are usually in the tree above the feeders but don't often eat from them although they do feed on the ground on the seeds that the other birds knock out of the feeders, mainly sunflower hearts. Also a grey wagtail on the pond most days.
Around 2pm today, at Rimsdale walk: 16 Fieldfare perched on the Big Tree, with a few more feeding in the Berry Trees. 50 Starling in the nearby Lombardy's. A Common Gull on the playing field. 8 jackdaws on roof/ chimney pots in Elgol Drive
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
10 Redwing perched on top of the Big Tree, then flew off. At least 2 Fieldfare deep in the Berry Trees with Blackbirds and a further Redwing; all feeding.
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
At least 5 Fieldfare feeding on the berries at Rimsdale Walk this am. Redwing present but flighty. 37 Starlings whistling in the adjacent big tree. Also 10 Goldfinch flying around, and 4 Canada Geese very low over the school field.
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
Recently, I have been checking the renowned Rimsdale Walk berry trees, and this morning the Winter Thrushes had arrived. Difficult to count as the Cotoneaster still in full leaf plus the birds very flighty. My estimate 4 Fieldfare...7 Redwing. House Sparrows, Blackbirds, Goldfinch and a female Pied Wagtail also present in that area.
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
Just now (5.53): Good but short views of a Buzzard moving east down the Valley. Probably over the edge of the estate, or the Golf Course as seen from my back garden. Another bird, flying close to it, possibly harassing, appeared to be a Gull.
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.