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a January morning at Ballachurry Reserve
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Entering the Reserve at 9.30 this morning, the first thing I noticed was the birdsong! I could hear a Song Thrush, Goldfinches, Blue Tits, and Chaffinches all at the same time which, despite the gloomy weather, made me think that spring was just round the corner. I even heard the distant drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, though from outside the Reserve, I think. It didn't last. About an hour later I noticed how quiet the Reserve had become but it's lovely to hear the birds starting to sing again. Here is my report:Birds:
SC210694 Blue Tit. Song Thrush, Goldfinches and Chaffinch heard but not seen.
SC 209693 male Blackbird flying low along wood chip path; Rook perched on broken branch; Robin heard not seen; Jackdaws flying over; 2 x Blue Tit.
SC209694 ( from hide) 3 x Blue Tit; 4 x Mallard ( 2 pairs) Moorhen; Blackbird; Grey Wagtail; Woodpigeon heard not seen.
SC209694 ( elsewhere) Great Tit; male & female Chaffinches seen separately ; 8 x Goldfinch flying over; 2 x House Sparrow; Robin; 4 Blackbirds flew across path in quick succession.
SC208694 Magpie flying over; Blue Tit; Robin; male Chaffinch & 2 females; 2 x Woodpigeon flying over; Wren heard not seen; Great Tit.
SC209695 Blackbird x 4 sitting in top of tree together.
SC208695 Blackbird; Song Thrush; Jackdaw x 8 sitting in trees.
(On or near feeders) 2 x Great Tit ( one ringed); 2 x Blue Tit; 5 x Goldfinch; 3 x Robin ( 2 having fight while 3rd looked on)
SC209694 ( adjacent field over gorse boundary) 6 female/ juvenile Blackbirds foraging on the ground.
Other:
Scarlet Elfcup Sarcoscypha austriaca fungus NEW RECORD (many thanks to Karen Griffiths for drawing it to my attention)
SC208694 Lichen developing on bridge handrail.
SC209694 Some Hawthorns in full leaf already
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Ringed Great Tit
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Blue Tit jumping for joy!
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it was ringed
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as was this one foraging in the reeds
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very acrobatic
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two arrived together to work through the reeds
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another Blue Tit across the pond
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also a Blackbird across the pond
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two pairs of Mallard on the water today
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the Moorhen was feeding there the entire morning
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close-up of the Moorhen
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2 of 6 Blackbirds in the adjacent field
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all females or juveniles
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male Chaffinch
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female Chaffinch
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female House Sparrow
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and her mate
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Goldfinch approaching the feeders
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a small flock was feasting on the sunflower seeds
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| Goldfinches |
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Blue Tit
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one of three Robins near the feeders
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Scarlet Elfcup Sarcoscypha austriaca spotted by Karen Griffiths recently
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this Hawthorn is in full leaf already
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usual view of the Boardwalk
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usual view from the boardwalk
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a good flow along the stream
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the dam and the bridge across to the willows
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lichen starting to form on the bridge handrail
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a reminder of recent storms - more forecast this week-end
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flattened reeds near the bridge
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the dragonfly pond
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I could spot no signs of life today
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usual view of the bird hide
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looking through the hide shutters
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I wasn't quick enough to photograph the Grey Wagtail on the mud
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looking in the other direction
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view from the ramp on arrival
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view from the ramp just before leaving
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the "beehive loop" with the bird feeder tree
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looking back across the meadow
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the meadow looking towards the boardwalk
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back at the entrance, ready to go home
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Today the Reserve seemed to have Blackbirds and Blue Tits wherever I strolled.
And finally............
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déjà vu?
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This delivery can only mean one thing! Work Party imminent!
please click on photos to enlarge them
