Enchanting
Last Sunday, we set out at 4:45 in the morning to Oughtonhead Common, as it is a lovely place and full of wildlife. Even when we pulled up we already were greeted by hundreds of bird songs, but I could only make out a few. As we were going down the path, we had to be very quiet as there were a few houses but after we had past the last house, we were free to talk. I checked the possible nesting site for the Kingfishers, but as we were still near the houses we hurried along. Already I could hear Blackcap, Blackbird and much more!! Further on we heard Reed and Sedge warbler and even caught glimpses of the Reed warbler and stunning views of the Sedge warbler!! As it was still early, and not much light, not much wildlife was on show. On the way to the chalky, I spotted the female Mandarin we tried to spot last month, making a very peculiar,"KRANK, KRANK KRANK" call. That's not one of my favourite songs in the Dawn chorus ;). At the Chalky, there was a female Mallard with chicks!! This is the second Mallard family I've seen this year but this time, there were only 2 chicks. So I wish this Mother Mallard good luck!!
As we went on, the bird song came down, as it had turned 6:00. Yet, there was lots of bird life coming out to play!! Take, for example, the lovely Common Whitethroat that was singing next to me, giving me some stunning views of it. It even had its bill stuffed with insects!! I had never been this close to a Whitethroat before, so I got my new camera out and took a couple of pictures. The pond that we went to last time had no newts but the usual Tadpoles, Lady's Smock and Pond snails. So we carried on. When we came to the gate that took us back to where we started, the Sedge Warbler was perched exactly where I could get a great picture of him!! He then moved to an even BETTER place, at the tip of a bush/tree in the reeds, where the morning light made the Sedge Warbler look superb. On the way back was when we got the faintest glimpses of the pair of reed warbler. If you want to go looking for reed warbler, early morning is the best time. By the time we got back to the car, it was only 6:47 in the morning, so I knew that today would be a long day...
I highly recommend you try this out, as you could see something special, and after that you deserve a full on British Breakfast. That's all I have to say for today, Have a good one!! Stay Safe!!
Ferreting Fynn.
P.S I now have a Twitter Account, so check that out!!
What a beautiful recording of the dawn chorus! Well done for getting up and getting there, the beautiful recording and photographs. The bird picture is reallly lovely. I hope you enjoyed your full British Breakfast- you did deserve it!
ReplyDeleteWell Fynn that was an early start and I am sure Mum was delighted to be up that early to catch the morning chorus.
ReplyDeleteI agree when you do experience it, it is one of the most astonishing things to see and hear. As you know I’m not great and song bird identification, so it would have been great to be with you as you have an excellent ear for bird call. Warblers have always been LBJ’s {little brown jobbies} to me, so for you to spot the different varieties would have been great to be with you.
Well yet another lovely blog to read and again I can’t wait to read the next instalment.I’m going to be wondering what it could be about. UUUMMMM maybe it will be - what exciting changes you have seen in your pond at home as I know you have been working on it and introducing plants and wildlife.
Can’t wait
Well Fynn I really enjoyed listening to the recording of the dawn chorus. It is so loud and what a lot of different calls. What a wonderful experience for you and so lovely of you to share it. I have not been up early enough to listen myself but, judging by your visit, it is certainly worth the effort. Not sure I would be able to recognise as many different call as you though.
ReplyDeleteDid you know the first Sunday in May is International Dawn Chorus Day? - you are ahead of the game.
I bet that breakfast went down well - you must have been really hungry after that early start.
Looking forward to reading about your next adventure.
I love your sense of humour, Fynn and you describe the birds so well it's almost as if if we can see them ourselves. If you go to the Common in a few days, please check out the Mallard with only 2 chicks and see if they have survived?
ReplyDeletePat
This is such a lovely post Fynn. I'm very impressed that you motivated yourself and mum and dad to get up so early. It was well worth the effort - you captured an absolutely beautiful clamour of birdsong. You've inspired me to try an early start so I can experience the dawn chorus for myself. I'll see if I can get my family to join me. I'm thinking that the promise of a full English like yours may be an extra incentive... Looking forward to the next instalment of your brilliant blog :)
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie!! It did take a bit of convincing to get My mum and dad to do it, but even though they had more layers on than me, they still were cold!! Maybe you should do the dawn chorus around the lake?
DeleteFerreting Fynn
What a treat to hear your recording on what is now 'international dawn chorus day'. Well done for getting up so early!
ReplyDeleteOughtenhead Common sounds like an interesting place. I will add this to my list of 'places I want to go' although I don't think I'll be going at 4.45am.
Now to check out your Twitter feed.
This is from Mrs Burchell. I keep forgetting to put my name and am appearing as 'unknown' or 'anonymous' !!!
DeleteI'm a U.S. friend of your grandmother. I have always been interested in your life because I met your mum and dad before you were born. I truly enjoyed your blog. I wrote you a few paragraphs before, but couldn't sent it. Maybe this will work. I am so happy to see your interest in wildlife and birds. And the outdoors. And the support of mum and dad. I feed the birds here. And listen to the sounds. But I can't identify as many as you can. You are amazing! Hope to become blog friends.
ReplyDelete