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essexbuzzard wrote:... the parakeets in London do seem strange, but continue to increase, unharmed by the coldest weather. Recently, they have started to appear in Liverpool, Sheffield and other cities further north...

I had no idea they'd reached the NW of England. Are they the same ring-necks found in the SE area?

Yes David, they are the same ones as those in London, the ring neck parakeets (though they don’t always have rings, confusingly). How they have got to Sheffield, Manchester and the like, which are so isolated from London, is unknown. They have even been seen in southern Scotland, though they have not yet bred there, as far as I know.

Welney Wash is a WWT reserve on the Cambridgeshire Norfolk border. Been here many times, and it never disappoints. However, something I haven’t seen here before was this cattle egret, among the grazing sheep. Being on a flood plain, it is excellent for wildfowl and, after a dry January flood levels were low, making it even better for birds than normal. There were plenty of wintering whooper swans. Pochards are more abundant here than anywhere else I’ve been to, in winter at least. They are gorgeous little diving ducks, with their grey backs and red heads. Lapwings feed in the damp grassland. Welney is surrounded by the flat arable farmland of the fens, and the feeders here attract many declining birds, including tree sparrows, which have gone from where I live, hopefully they will remain here. Last time I saw tree sparrows was last winter in Tokyo! Lastly here is a tranquil scene, as the winter sun sets over the fens.

Aren't Cattle Egrets the 'new' Little Egrets Essex Love the Whoppers - we only get those down this way very rarely

Have a goodun

Wurzel

essexbuzzard wrote:Yes David, they are the same ones as those in London, the ring neck parakeets (though they don’t always have rings, confusingly). How they have got to Sheffield, Manchester and the like, which are so isolated from London, is unknown. They have even been seen in southern Scotland, though they have not yet bred there, as far as I know.

I am aware of a couple of roosts in South Birmingham parks and I even had a small flock of half a dozen or so pass though my garden here in Solihull last year. A local birder I know has been tracking their spread around the area and he tells me they are now present in most cities in England.

Some great bird photos in your recent reports Mark and I love that last image of the winter sun going down over the fens

Cheers,

Neil.

Great shots, particularly that Tree Sparrow, a species I've only seen the once . It's strange how they replace the House Sparrow in towns and cities in Asia

Hi Wurzel, yes perhaps they are, or maybe the great white egret? Both species are visiting more and more, and beginning to breed.

Thanks Neil, for your kind words. I’m sure you will be seeing parakeets in increasing numbers in future. But perhaps you send one of your winter blackcaps my way!

Bugboy, tree sparrows are for me, rather confusing. They seem to come and go from areas, without explanation. At the moment, they are commonest, and increasing, in northern and eastern parts, but disappearing from the south. My experience in Tokyo is that they thrive in the city, perhaps because house sparrows are absent.

Last week, it was time for a trip to West Wales. There was much pleasure of taking a winter walk around Dinas Hill, an RSPB reserve. By late spring, the stunted old sessile oakwoods here become home to those classic birds of woods in Wales- wood warbler, redstart and pied flycatcher. This is still a long way away, for now I am happy to make do with the splendid surroundings. Here, the glorious sound of the tumbling river (afon) Tywi is never far away. Scrambling up through these oakwoods, we can observe the wonderful character of these trees. At the bottom of the hill, they are big and strong, but as one heads up higher, they become smaller.. Then, at the top of the hill, the oaks are scarcely more than twigs, a sign of the tough life they have up here. Here is a view from the rocky top, looking out at the splendid Welsh scenery.

Thanks for sharing these images Essex - they take me back to my visits there and it's a stunning reserve in a stunning part of the world, although when I was there it was much warmer

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel. When I go there,it always seems to be late-autumn or winter!

For the nature lover, no visit to west Wales would be complete without a trip to the kite feeding site at Rhayader. Birds have been fed here since the 1990’s and, since then, the numbers have greatly increased. It’s bee dubbed ‘the worlds greatest bird table’! We will take a closer look shortly, but here is some perspective.

That's quite some spectacle, Mark. I really must get around to visiting one day. They've been doing this for years so there's always a ready supply of kites nearby waiting for feeding time!

Most of the kites swoop down and snatch food. However, in recent years, more of the kites have learned to land and feed on the ground. There is a pecking order among the birds here with adults feeding first, while the youngsters have to wait their turn. Being largely scavengers, kites have a relatively easy life and, once adults, can hope to live for about 15 years. This must surely have fuelled the spectacular increase in kites in recent years. Here is an adult, with its rich colours and white head with black streaks. The pale, slightly washed out colours of this kite show it is one of last years juveniles. Something which I think is unique to Wales is the ‘white kite’ , which is probably a result of the once small, slightly inbred population. Two were present. They are not albino, as there is still some colour, but lucistic. Against blue skies, the kites were wonderfully colourful. White kite.

Wonderful Kite images, Mark. I have a Sunday job, based on a farm.
Red Kites and Buzzards are frequently seen over the vast fields.

Not long now,
Trevor.

I agree - really wonderful pictures. I've seen black kites in those kinds of numbers but never knew red kites behaved in the same way. What a treat.

Guy

Amazing sequence, Mark. It's rare to see them on the ground and they look absolutely divine when captured this way (the airborne images are excellent too although I'm more used to these).

My favourite UK raptor, you just can't have enough Red Kite images

Thanks Trevor. The kite has recently been added to the Essex breeding list, such is their increase.

Guy, I’ve seen some of your black kite images! Glad you like the pictures, and you got to see some yourself. Going there is indeed a treat of the highest order.

David, what are you waiting for? If you do go, try to pick a bright winter day, and you will be amazed!

Thanks Bugboy. We are very privileged to live at a time when such spectacular birds of prey are accessible to us all.

More to come...

Buzzards also come to the food, giving perhaps unique close views. The increase and spread of the buzzard has been even more spectacular than that of the kite. Even in its core range, Wales and southwest England, densities have increased. Being more predatory in nature, buzzards have a tougher life than kites. Although the oldest individuals have survived 20 years in the wild in Britain, many seem pretty much knackered after 10 years. Most, if not all the buzzards that come to the farm are juveniles, and all have a unique breast pattern. They also have pale eyes in their first year. Here are some examples.

This buzzard has started to develop some of the adult features. The eyes have darkened, and some barring is visible on the lower belly. It is probably nearly two years old. Here are the two species together. The buzzards is a little ragged, but it does show the different profiles of these two, on the face of it, similar birds.

Great comparison shot Essex - you can really see the difference (one stocky and rounded the other all 'long fingers'). I've not seen (but heard of) the 'White Kites', brilliant shots

Have a goodun

Wurzel