Moors Bird Count January 2013

The Moors Year List 2013

This is the real reason this Blog was started. How many different species of bird can Pete and I record in 1 year on Amington Moors in the Anker Valley?
The list will start on January 1st 2013.
Pete has been out and started the moors list.
Here are his accounts of his Moors Visits.

January 1st 2013. (Pete)
At last, the first day of our Moors "The Big Tick 2013". For a change no rain! in fact the weather was bright with clear skies and a strange glowing ball showed in the sky. Although it was rather cold with frost still very noticeable in heavily shaded areas.As expected the ground was very waterlogged and in a number of places still too wet to walk on, this meant I was unable to check along the river banks and the adjacent fields and hedgerows.I was however able to reach the small wooded area where Sean and I had set up some feeders and finally top these up. They having been empty for some time due to the persistent flooding of the paths leading to them. It seemed that although empty birds were still been checking them as within ten minutes of being filled Blue and Great Tits started to feed. Deciding to sit and watch for a while in case a few other species turned up I was perfectly located for the highlight of the day as a pair of Sparrowhawks landed in the trees in front of me; I'm hoping these will turn out to be breeding pair as the local environment is ideal for such birds. After ten minutes during which they spent as much time studying me as I did them they flew off, thankfully showing no signs of being spooked by my presence.The rest of the walk was rather quiet with little activity in the hedgerows or stubble fields I was able to reach, although a hunting Kestrel made a welcome appearance. Still day one and sixteen species recorded.
Species: Chaffinch. Robin.Wood Pigeon. Rook. Magpie. Blackbird. Common Crow. Kestrel. Mute Swan. Great Tit. Blue Tit. Jay. Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Redwing. Fieldfare. Sparrowhawk.
Update
January 3rd 2013 (Pete)
After a great day birding and a few laughs with Sean yesterday I decided on a quick visit to the Moors today. Although on reflection I did wonder what kind of mate would take someone gone 60 over a landmark nicknamed Cardiac Hill. Still I survived to gasp another day.As I said it was a very short visit so not many birds recorded, in fact the main reason I went was to check a particular section where a large number of Crab Apples had been washed together due to the earlier floods, hoping that these plus the berries in the adjacent hedgerows may have attracted an elusive Waxwing or two. Sadly this was not to be but the aroma of fermenting apples was noticeable at some distance. Cannot believe that Tamworth was awash with Waxwings over December then 2013 arrives, and not a sign of them. Still the weather was a lot milder and although still wet the ground is drying out slowly. I was also greeted by a mixed flock of more than 100 Fieldfare and Redwing, an enjoyable sight at this time of the year. According to my count we have reached 23 different species which is close to 25% of our target. In fact I was thinking I could suggest to Sean that I’ll do the first 50 species and he can do the last 50! I have added the new species in italics making it easier to track our progress.
Species
Magpie, Common Crow, Wood Pigeon, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Buzzard, Dunnock, Wren, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Heron, Green Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing.
Update
6^th January 2013 (Pete)
After another adventure with Sean yesterday I decided it was time for a bit of normality and pop down the moors and top up the feeders. The adventure started when Sean heard a Firecrest had been spotted within easy traveling distance.
Thankfully, we got not only the Firecrest but a couple of other ticks as well. That, it seems makes up for having to spend a morning walking through the remnants of waste land scatted amongst an industrial estate, parts of which had recently been flooded with human waste, giving the sections of mud we traipsed through a certain odour. Still there were lots of other birders there, giving the impression of a train spotter’s convention. All joking aside, for many people including myself that will end up being a life tick. Well worth the journey. And Sean is always good company.
Weather was really misty and dull with everything wet from the earlier fog. I only popped down today as due to personal circumstances it was going to be at least a week before I get back down. Luckily as I walked back a flock of about 12 or so Long –tailed Tits turned up, and as I hoped so did a Goldcrest. It’s strange how often this happens. Managed a few more new ticks as well, so well on the way to when Sean flies through the last 50 species.

Species:
Blue Tit. Wood Pigeon. Magpie. Blackbird. Great Tit. Long-Tailed Tit. Goldcrest. Chaffinch. Black-headed Gull. Yellowhammer. Common Crow. Bullfinch.


13th January (Moocher)
Made my first foray of the new year onto the Moors of 2013. Sunday morning saw Taz and I wandering about on the moors and enjoying it. I didn't see too much, but that was my fault really. I am determined to see some Moors Owls this year. So, we were wandering the fields in twilight, hoping to,stumble across a early morning Owl looking for a meal before retiring for the day. No luck. Pete and I have heard Tawny's and had reports from anglers fishing well into darkness of barn Owls. We will keep trying.
As sunrise crept up on us and the light intensity increased, I started seeing a few birds. A large amount of roosting Fieldfare and Redwing started leaving the trees and heading out into the fields and surrounding countryside.
In the area we sometimes see Yellowhammers a damp Kestrel flapped up from the ground disturbed by my footfall. I didn't see it at all until it flew up into the tree. It looked fed up in the grey morning light.

Best I could do in the poor light. Slow shutter speed and high ISO.
After my failed Owl foray, I looked out for anything new on the return journey. The bright morning had attracted a couple of other dog walkers and a team of guys training gun dogs to the whistle. With all this activity, I didn't hold out much hope for anything to add to Pete's list so far.
Species
Well, I was wrong. I managed Cormorant, near the river, a Herring Gull being very vocal and in the last field before where the car was parked, a flock of about 20 Lapwing working a big muddy puddle.
An enjoyable morning stroll.
Pete just texted me and said he is going on Moors tomorrow. Some more ticks I hope.
15th Jan (Pete)
Managed to get to Moors today, mainly to top up feeders and pop down to see a mate who was fishing the river Anker. Although the weather was very bright and clear, temperature was only just above freezing, with the ground covered in a hoar frost. In all honesty today ended up being a day to reflect on how hard animals strive just to stay alive, Rather than a bird ticking exercise.
Spent some time watching goldfinch pick seeds out of teasel heads while tits constantly flew from one place to the next in their search for food. There’s no such thing as an indolent bird. Hopefully our feeders will help this winter.
On a brighter side after drinking my friends coffee, eating his food and sitting in his chair for an hour while he blanked made me sure that spending money on bird seed rather than fishing tackle was the right decision. I also stopped calling carrion crows common crows.
Species:
Magpie. Carrion Crow. Blackbird. Great Tit. Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Wood Pigeon. Goldfinch. Blue Tit. Moorhen. Canada Goose. Rook. Heron. Goldcrest. Mallard.
16th Jan (Pete)
Everywhere still covered in a hoar frost but plenty of birds about including a fly over shelduck and a small flock of lapwing. The fields by the barn were full of redwing and fieldfare, with song thrush feeding alongside them. Was lucky enough to get a mistle thrush on the path near the barn, but as the sun dropped the cold got the better of me so headed home.
Species:
Fieldfare. Redwing. Song Thrush. Blackbird. Long-tailed Tit. Blue tit. Chaffinch. Wood Pigeon. Green Woodpecker. Magpie. Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Robin.Comorant. Carrion Crow. Shelduck. Heron. Bullfinch. Mistle Thrush. Lapwing. Buzzard. Great Tit. House Sparrow. Mute Swan.
17th Jan (Pete)
Still cold but the hoar frost had gone. Sky overcast and light level rather dull. Decided to try a different route today. This turned out to be a great decision as saw another goldcrest and a treecreeper, both using the same tree to feed on. The large flocks of redwing and field fare were still around the barn. Due I suspect to berries becoming harder to find.
In all honesty I didn’t think my day would get any better when I was amazed to see a barn owl quartering an area of rough ground just in front of me. What a fantastic sight.
In all honesty luck played a big part in this tick. I was actually on the way home when a few long tailed tits arrived in the hedgerow in front of me, it was only because I stopped to record these that I was facing the owl when it flew by. Otherwise I would have had my back to it and missed it completely. I can only assume that the persistent wet weather has made finding food very difficult for all predators hence the need to hunt during daylight.
Species:
Magpie. Chaffinch. Carrion Crow. Blue Tit. Treecreeper. Goldcrest. Wren. Blackbird. Great tit. Wood Pigeon. Cormorant. Heron. Sparrowhawk. Fieldfare. Redwing. Robin. Buzzard. Goldfinch. Long-Tailed tit. Barn Owl.
19th Jan (Pete)
Sean and I had a stroll along the moors today. Took a few photos and topped up the feeders again. It was hard going through the snow, more for Sean then me I should add. I think he’s starting to feel his age now! Plenty of birds around the feeder and we both enjoyed watching a sparrowhawk hunt, although it seemed to be spending just as much time avoiding being mobbed by crows.
I’m sure that the sparrowhawks will soon decide that our feeders make an excellent “take away” any day now.
Species:
Cormorant. Great tit. Fieldfare. Blackbird. Wood pigeon. Bullfinch. Dunnock. Carrion Crow. Magpie. Sarrowhawk. Robin. Blue Tit. Chaffinch. Buzzard.

20th Jan (Pete)
Very few birds seen today which was to be expected with the weather conditions. It snowed throughout my visit. Due to this I just topped up feeders and made my way home.
It was noticeable how much activity there is around the feeders now, ground feeding birds having almost completely cleared the snow from under the feeders. I’m lucky to live within a 15 minute walk of the moors which means I’m able to visit each day if I want.
Species:
Chaffinch. Blackbird. Blue Tit. Magpie. Great Tit. Wood Pigeon. Mute Swan.
21st Jan (Pete)
Sky overcast and ground under 75-100mm of snow. Thankfully it had finally stopped snowing. Due to the weather conditions Sean had a day off work so I met him and Taz for a few hours birding. We checked the feeders which had clearly seen plenty of bird activity.
Both blue and great tits appeared almost immediately but due to the amount of snow on the branches every time a bird landed they dislodged some, Taz immediately decided that this was some sort of game and did her best to catch these as they fell. Something Taz enjoyed far more than the birds who must have wondered what on earth was happening.
Still a good day out, Taz was as entertaining as ever and we were able to tick a few new species during our walk as we made our way along the river Anker and headed towards the barn before making our way home.
Species:
Wood Pigeon. Blue Tit. Magpie. Dunnock. Fieldfare. Jay. Heron. Wren. Great tit. Comorant. Mallard. Goosander. Carrion Crow. Sparrowhawk. Starling. Rook. Robin. Skylark. Meadow Pipit.
22nd Jan (Pete)
Sky very clear this morning with very little cloud visible at 10.00 turning very overcast with full cloud cover by 12.00. It had been a very cold night with the temperature well below freezing and the snow having that sharp crunching sound heard after as fast hard frost. A small flock of dunnock were feeding on what seed was left on the wild grasses which surround the barn, which is the only thing remaining of what was Moor Farm. A kestrel perched on what used to be a telephone wire pole; this seems to be a favoured observation post as we often spot it perched there. It was nice to see it make a kill in the adjoining stubble field and land in a nearby tree to enjoy its meal.

Species:
Magpie. Wood pigeon. Blackbird. Bullfinch. Greater Spotted woodpecker. Great Tit. Cormorant. Buzzard. Kestrel. Carrion Crow. Dunnock. Wren.

A cloudy and dull day, with the first sign of a thaw underfoot. Feeders very busy with birds feeding as soon as I had topped them up and moved away. Spotted a willow tit in the background and watched one, possibly two birds drop in and of sight. Although I only saw one at a time they approached from different directions making me think there may have been two birds. Viewed for approximately 15 minutes and was able to clearly make out definitive markings and cross check using my Collins against marsh tit.

There were also a small flock of Bullfinch along the hedges near the barn having been there over a week now.

Species:

Magpie. Wood Pigeon. Buzzard. Blue Tit. Great Tit. Willow Tit. Long- Tailed Tit. Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Fieldfare. Carrion Crow. Bullfinch. Dunnock. Wren. Robin. Heron. Chaffinch.

26th Jan (Pete)

Very bright but becoming overcast by midday. After rain last night ground was very wet underfoot with many paths blocked by standing water. Saw a goldcrest among a flock of long tailed tits, with the bullfinch still around the barn. Noticed that the drainage ditches were starting to fill which with the ground so saturated made me think that the moors would flood.

Species:

Magpie. Wood Pigeon. Rook. Blue Tit. Great Tit. Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Heron. Long-Tailed Tit. Goldcrest. Fieldfare. Carrion Crow. Redwing. Goldfinch. Song Thrush. Bullfinch.

27^th Jan (Pete)

The combination of rain and snow melt, coupled with the flooding of the river Anker had as expected meant that the moors were heavily flooded. In fact I watched as one of the drainage ditches actually reversed its natural flow due to the rising river levels and run off into another ditch set at right angles to it and 18 inches higher, making the footpath between them impossible to cross. This meant I had no usable route to the feeders. I decided to see if I could get to the barn but that footpath started to flood as I walked along it luckily with me on the right side of the flood water so no wet feet. At that point I decided that a hot meal and a pint was a more sensible option.

Species:

Magpie. Woodpigeon. Carrion Crow. Blackbird.

29^th Jan (Pete)

Although still wet and flooded in places I was able to get to the feeders and top them up. They having been emptied since I last filled them. Birds once again waited for me to finish but started to feed the moment I walked away including two coal tits, another first, I also saw the first sign of sparrowhawk activity with a few blackbird feathers scattered under the feeders with a larger collection left under a branch a few yards away. As I made my way towards the barn noticed a large flock of birds in a few trees set on the edge of a stubble field. As I got closer I noticed they were starlings with a scattering of fieldfare and redwings among them. I stopped to check the field which held more birds. I did a couple of counts of the birds in the trees and as they flow out of the field again made an estimate. Even allowing for a few dozen non starling species a conservative count was 200 the largest number of starlings I had seen locally for many years. The other noticeable thing was the level of noise they made, continually calling to each other. I ended the walk with a pheasant near the barn for a second tick

Species:

Magpie. Blue Tit. Great Tit. Blackbird. Long- tailed Tit. Coal Tit. Wood Pigeon. Redwing. Carrion Crow. Fieldfare. Starling. Goldfinch. Robin. Pheasant. Rook. Song Thrush.

30^th Jan (Pete)

Very mild and windy today with the warmer weather bringing greater bird activity, birds were singing from every hedgerow although the strong winds prevented many actually showing themselves. While scanning the hedges in the hope of spotting a few of these birds I was treated to another view of the barn owl. Not flying, that would be too much to ask for at 11 in the morning. It was actually roosting in some heavy cover among some trees just behind the hedges. I watched it for a few minutes before re tracing my steps rather than risk disturbing it. Instead I made my way towards the barn. The starlings were there again although in far fewer numbers. Just after this I was treated to a life time first. Either side of the barn are two stubble fields, one set on a slope, each year Sean and I see many Skylarks on this one. It seems to be a favoured nesting site for them. I watched two male skylarks fight over a nesting territory. Clearly they were evenly matched as after a short period of display singing they actually flew at each other, locking claws and falling to the ground before letting go. This happened twice, on the third occasion one broke off and flew away, leaving the victor to challenge all comers by continuing to sing. Although aware this happens it’s the first time I’ve actually witnessed it. An incredible sight.

Species:Magpie. Blue Tit. Barn Owl. Great Tit. Wood Pigeon. Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Starling. Fieldfare. Redwing. Chaffinch. Skylark. Jay. Carrion Crow. Rook. Green Woodpecker. Long-Tailed Tit.

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