Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Friday 5 February 2021

2021 Year List Begins

On New Years Day I headed out to try and kick start my new year list. I stayed local, but concentrated on an area I knew would give me a good number of birds across different habitats. With woodland, open farmland, hedgerow and water, I thought I'd be in with a good chance of seeing a variety of birds. I actually ended the day on 46 species, so was very pleased for just a few hours.

It was cold, with some fresh snow having fallen in the early hours, but already starting to melt. I knew the birds would be out and eagerly looking for food.

This Robin gave me an almost picture postcard pose in the snow.


I've found a really good Tree Sparrow location, with around 30 birds. Not easy to find these days, so I always take my time when around them to observe and enjoy these secretive little birds.


Lovely chestnut brown caps and the black markings on the cheeks.


The real surprise of the morning was finding these Whooper Swans. 25 in total, and a really good early year tick. They didn't hang around long, but just long enough to ID them at distance through the binoculars and to take a couple of record shots. As you can see, these differ to our native Mute Swans with their yellow bills, and are just visiting here for the winter. They will head off back to the arctic tundra to breed in the Spring.



12 comments:

  1. These are really beautiful pictures Adam.
    The robin is really good for a postcard.
    I love the wild swans and you don't see with so many at once.
    Greetings Irma

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  2. Hello,
    You had a great outing, seeing 46 species in a few hours. I have always loved your pretty Robin! The Tree Sparrow is beautiful. Wonderful sighting of the Whopper and Mute Swans. Great series of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.

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  3. These are some lovely pictures. Yes, the Robin picture is perfect for mass printing.

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  4. The birds really did pose for you! Love seeing the Swans...so graceful and something we rarely see here in the wild. Enjoy your weekend!

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  5. A wonderful Robin pic! I don't think we have those Tree Sparrows here.

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  6. I love the robin -- your robins are prettier than ours. But oh, those swans -- what perfect timing to get that shot in flight.

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  7. Hello,:=) The sweet Robin capture, is Picture Postcard, Calendar, or Chocolate box, material, he posed so nicely for you. I have never seen a Tree Sparrow, what a good find.

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  8. Lovely photos, I really love to see tree sparrows! That's a great shot of the swans too!

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  9. Wonderful captures... especially the robin is lovely.

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  10. They're lovely little fellows!
    Thanks for joining us this week at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/02/mmmmm.html

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  11. Wow!! What wonderful photos! Thank you!

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