Happy New Year, everyone!
 |
opening the gate to 2024 at Ballachurry Reserve.
|
This post sees the start of year 10 for this Blog, although I started recording at the Reserve in 2010. January 1st seemed like a good start date for this year's visits, especially given the lovely sunny weather after a week of rain and windy conditions. It certainly proved to be a good morning's bird watching as the following report will show you.
There was even a Blackbird sitting on the noticeboard roof as I entered the reserve - a good omen, I thought!
Birds:
SC209694 ( hide) Moorhen; Great Tit; 7 x Goldfinch; Wren; male and female Chaffinch; Woodpigeon in Churchyard trees opposite; 2 x Jackdaw in Churchyard trees opposite; Chiffchaff ( unfortunately a day too late for the Christmas Bird Race! ) Water Rail heard but not seen; Blue Tit.
SC209694 ( elsewhere) Blackbird x 2 together and singletons seen elsewhere; Song Thrush; female Chaffinch; Blue Tit; Robin; male Chaffinch; Great Tit x 2; 3 x Redwing; Goldcrest; 3 x Siskin taking Alder seeds; 3 x Long-tailed Tit.
SC208694 Magpie flying over; Blue Tit; male Chaffinch; Robin seen in 3 different locations/ territories; Blackbird; Grey Wagtail.
SC209693 Goldcrest; Chaffinch;
SC209695 2 x Blue Tit together; Blackbird.
Other:
No invertebrates, fungi etc. seen other than a few dancing gnats which the birds were taking.
 |
there were Blue Tits everywhere today
|
 |
some were ringed
|
 |
but it's impossible to read the numbers
|
 |
I noticed some had rings on the right leg and some on the left
|
 |
they were finding insects to eat on the trees
|
 |
two shots of the same bird
|
 |
there were two flying round together too
|
 |
female Chaffinch
|
 |
male Chaffinch
|
 |
a very blurry shot of the Chiffchaff - it was just too quick for me!
|
 |
Goldcrest near the entrance gate
|
 |
foraging low down among the trees
|
 |
but this one was chasing flies high in the willows
|
 |
Goldfinches near the hide
|
 |
a distant flock of Long Tailed Tits
|
 |
against the light, but look at the length of the tail!
|
 |
the Moorhen was feeding on the edge of the pond
|
 |
amongst the weed
|
 |
and in the dead Phalaris reeds
|
 |
Blue Tit & Chaffinch near the Hide
|
 |
one of three Redwings
|
 |
I only saw 2 initially but 3 flew away together
|
 |
the Robins were busy foraging as usual
|
 |
they like our wood chip paths
|
 |
fleeting view of a Song Thrush
|
 |
the Siskins were right above me at the path junction
|
 |
taking the Alder seeds
|
 |
but against the light making photography difficult
|
 |
a sunny entrance to the Reserve on New Year's Day
|
 |
winter trees against a blue sky
|
 |
and scarcely a breath of wind today either
|
 |
usual view of the hide
|
 |
my initial look through the shutters
|
 |
bare trees in the churchyard
|
 |
and wintry looking reeds too
|
 |
usual view from the ramp of the hide
|
 |
Mrs. Blogger's long shadow on the meadow
|
 |
plenty of puddles along the meadow path
|
 |
looking back from the meadow
|
 |
water pouring over the dam after recent heavy rain
|
 |
there was an Amber weather warning for rain just a few days ago
|
 |
so no wonder the willows are flooded
|
 |
the board walk draws you on
|
 |
the usual view from the board walk
|
 |
next stop the old Beehive Loop
|
 |
the path recently widened
|
 |
in a few months the stream will be hidden by vegetation
|
 |
the Long-tailed Tits were in the willow behind this pond
|
 |
although the pond itself looked serene
|
 |
entrance trees 10.45
|
 |
entrance trees 13.45 - note change in the weather!
|
 |
Enjoy Ballachurry Reserve!
|
I was disappointed not get a better photo of the Chiffchaff and I missed a good photo opportunity for the Grey Wagtail too. Nevertheless, a very auspicious start to the new year. My next task is to update the list which hangs in the hide with all the new records from 2023, of which there were several. What will 2024 bring I wonder?
please click on photos to enlarge them
