As it's customary for me in the last few years, I set myself the challenge of seeing 100 bird species in Hull. I will write a blog post as I add new species to the list. This morning I stood at 70. In the autumn, when the oaks in the cemetery were laden with acorns, I watched a few jays collecting them and flying NW. In google maps in that direction at a reasonable distance there were allotments, and further on a small golf course. I thought the jays might be using the grass at the golf course to bury their acorns, so, today I headed in that direction for my daily walk, aiming for Jay for the year. It was sunny and very cold, but calm, and many birds were singing: Chaffinches, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Coal Tit, Stock Dove and Mistle Trushes.
I noticed a woodpecker landing on a birch. A flock of Goldfinches landed just above it, like mobbing it. When I focused my binoculars I realised it was a Green Woodpecker! (number 71) It flew to a large poplar, bright green in the sunshine, with a very undulating flight, and I managed a few record shots. It called again a couple of times: 'kew, kew, kew!' and I saw it again heading in the same direction as the Jays in the autumn.
Record shot of Green Woodpecker.
I left the cemetery and headed to Perth Street and National Avenue. A tenfoot allows visual access to the golf course, and I was surprised to spot two Fieldfares feeding on the lawns. Although I already had a fly-over Fieldfare from my walk to Garrowby Community Orchard, I rarely see them on the ground, and so close too. The fence didn't make for good photography, though!
Fieldfare.
A view of the grounds.
No comments:
Post a Comment