#indoorstoomuch

Well, its finally happened; existing business, further exams and training in existing buisness, new start up venture, family commitments, a house refurbishment & birding.   Too much to do and cannot fit it all in, so no trip out for me again - @IndoorsTooMuch   The highlight of the weekend was the RSPB Garden Birdwatch where with the kids help we had our best go yet. This is year 4 for the BGBW.   The best bits being when the neighbour through out the left overs of her Sunday roast, which tempted the 50 odd mixed Black Headed & Common gulls off the park grasslands and over into their garden, luckily as they tore strips out of each other heading up, they dropped it on my lawn, shortly followed by all of them: we counted 42 BHG and 11 Common.   As well as this we had not one but two Great Spotted Woodpeckers both on the same tree and also checking out our Woodpecker nest box put up two winters ago which has now been used each spr...

Thanks to the Ingrebourne drums i found myself standing in a new pair of boots, now covered in mud, no coat and freezing along with that now the snow was rain so i was getting wet with it, looking through the Berwick fishery fencing at a drake Smew. As birds go this has to be one of my favourites  i was lucky when i arrived as it was in the corner i was viewing from and slowly drifted towards the hut but also more to the middle. I got to see most of its markings including the darker tail feathers. With more imagination than you can muster its in the picture below.  So that's 99 for the Valley, what's going to be bird 100 - Goosander, Black Tailed Godwit or Bittern? I'd settle with a Siskin

I finally managed a trip over the patch this morning to get things started for 2013. It was going to be hard for me to catch DMo who as most will know bagged 60 species earlier this week.   The most i have had in one day over there being 53 on two occaisions: June & July last year.   I arrived at 7.45am with it still being dark, i wanted as much time as i could get. I took a wonder down to the double gates and back, although i could hear Robin, Blackbird, Great & Blue Tit i couldnt see anything.   As the light started to improve i started my assult on the year list, slowly working my along the flood area; i so wanted a Snipe today, conditions were good, reports had been in and last year Snipe caused me all sorts of bother. The usual Moorhen wondered about along the river and flood, i could hear Cettis Warbler x2 and C anada Geese over by the viewing area.   A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the flood, the first of these, x6 ...

I still havnt been out this year but did managed to get x25 Waxwing by the Upminster Trading Park, Great Warley Street this afternoon.

All plans to be up an about early this morning were scuppered two days ago by a nasty sickness bug; feeling rather exausted today i managed to get out of bed for the first time.   New year lisiting would have to start in the Garden.   And start it did; Robin (no.1) quickly followed by Blackbird , Great Tit and Blue Tit. Woodpigeon and Collard Dove dropped in on the ground seed.   Magpies come in for the Meal Worm that i through out and yet more Blackbird on the crushed apples.   Over the park the morning gulls took flight, Black Headed, Common & Herring (no.10).   Carrion Crow in next doors oak along with Greenfinch, Goldfinch on their feeders and Chaffinch under them.   Two Dunnock dived from the left to right side of the garden and House Sparrows came in slowly  but eventually numbering 16.   Longing for the Goldcrest to show, i saw movement in one of its usual haunts; thats when Mrs B thought i was about t...