WHAT'S BUZZING OR FLYING NEAR YOU 2019

Swap @shiney, mainly sparrows and starlings here (10-20), blue great and coal tits in ones or two's same as robins and dunnocks. Sometimes 6/8 Goldfinches brighten things up a bit.

 

While at the Portland Bird Observatory yesterday I saw two female Blackcaps feeding on apples in the Obs garden. These are probably Eastern European birds which come here for the winter instead of migrating south to the Med or Morocco.

 

Only one pair of Goldeneye have returned to Poole Park Lake so far but nice to see them relatively close to the path.
Male.


Female.


Great Northern Diver over wintering in the Harbour.

 

Goldcrest in the garden today, first one for a year or so.

 

Some winter visiting ducks look their smartest this time of year and a drake Red Breasted Merganser is a fine example.


On the other hand the Divers look drab and similar to each other and this Black throated Diver looks similar to a Great Northern and Red Throated this time of year, first one I have ever seen.

 

Same here @ARMANDII Long Tailed and Blue tits on the Acers and Wisteria all looking for aphids and any other insects they can find.

 

Snipe and Gadwall and Teal.

 

Over the last couple of weeks I've had up to a dozen Wood Pigeons group feeding on one of my lawns. Would they eat Beech nuts please? That's all I can think of that would attract them.

 

They are predominantly seed (and plant) eaters @Sheal so they may eat Beech nuts.

Sanderlings in Poole Harbour with a couple of Dunlin keeping them company.




Dunlin.


Redshank.

 

Thanks @strongylodon.

 

First Siskin to return to the garden since July.


Greenshank, Holton lee, Poole harbour.

 

Very distant but it was nice to see some of the Arne rspb Spoonbills having a wash instead of just sleeping.


No, that isn't a two headed one!


Curlew.


Still can't resist a Robin.


White Sika.