Wilstone Reservoir - 9.10.12

After being told by my doctor yesterday that he was signing me off for another fortnight (which just happens to lead into my 2 weeks annual leave from work!!) to recover from my slipped disc, the thought of being cooped up staring out of the window again filled me with misery. So as myself and Carey were cat sitting at her mums in Chesham I decided to get up with her and while she went to work I headed over to Wilstone for a bit of very leisurely birding. I must have been a funny sight trying to get my walking boots on which took over 5 minutes but in that time my first Lesser Redpoll and Redwings (10) of the Autumn flew over. Eventually I was ready and started my stroll to the hide. 2 Siskins flew over the new outflow as did 3 Meadow Pipits. A Grey Wagtail flew in infront of me but just as I was going to get a photo it flew off. 6 Swallows then headed South. I reached the hide and sat down with a sigh of relief though that relief was short lived sitting on a plank of wood! From the hide a group of 29 Golden Plovers were in with the Lapwings. The number slowly grew with additional arriving birds and by the time I left there were 55 present. Another Lesser Redpoll flew over, 3 Little Egrets were on view and a Snipe flew around before landing out of view to the right of the hide. Just before I left 2 large thrushes flew high in from the East and my first Fieldfares of the Autumn were onto my list. 3 Bullfinch were seen in flight while walking through the woods and then back to my car and home and straight onto the sofa!

Whilst i'm on i'll put out an appeal that should some rare birds turn up and you have a spare seat going that can fit a 6ft cripple in then please let me know as 20 minutes driving is enough for me at the moment!! Thanks.

Chipperfield - 7.10.12

Very kindly my mum had invited myself and Carey for Sunday dinner and whilst walking to the car 2 Siskin flew over. My first of the Autumn and first for my fledgling Chipperfield/garden list.

Raven-ing It Up! - 4.10.12

Due to my dodgy back i'm still off work and spending too much time in the flat but just before lunch I heard a Raven call through the open window and on closer inspection I picked it up heading SW towards the common. I got my bins out and had a better look only to be amazed that another 5 joined it and now all 6 birds were in my field of view! After a minute or so they disappeared behind houses. On checking my records its my second biggest count of Raven in a day after seeing 7 in Wales while dipping a Blue Rock Thrush a couple of years ago (but in one's and two's) so 6 together is my largest group.

Chipperfield - 3.10.12

A small and quick passage of Swallows flew South over the garden totalling 31 birds.

Chipperfield - 1.10.12

Whilst going round the flat closing the curtains I spotted a Sparrowhawk perched up on the fence of next doors garden. Looking through bins it was a lovely female. I tried a digi-binned shot but it was just too dark for my camera.