Middleton Lakes.

So that was that then, if you blinked and you missed it, then sorry but you missed the Summer, you know it was when it rained everyday. So with today being the first day of Autumn 2012 and at last having some proper footwear and not having been to Middleton Lakes for over 4 months because of it being flooded and largely inaccessible and inappropriate footwear, it was about time we headed off there, nice and early to make the most of the day, in fact we were so early there was nobody else in sight when we arrived there and for two hours after. What with it now officially being Autumn I shall be on the lookout for Redwing and Fieldfare especially as the BTO website say their arrival is anticipated any day now, of course there will also be lots of great Funghi too look out for !

Birds seen today were, Kestrel, Buzzard, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Robin, Starling, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Starling, House Martin, Swallow, Jay, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pheasant (Cock), Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Lapwing, Teal, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Domestic Goose as well as the following juveniles, Cygnet (6), Greenfinch, Goldfinch and numerous Grey Heron, Tufted Duck and Coot.

Interesting sights of the day were seeing one hundred plus Rook mobbing 4 Buzzard, fifty plus Jackdaw mobbing three Buzzard, plenty of medium sized flocks of Goldfinch and mixed Tits and a sizeable number of Greenfich at the feeders along with two Great Spotted Woodpecker as well as loads of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch and Robin.

Other animals seen today were at least two Foxes prowling the waters edge on the far side, they were remarkably tame being as the came within ten foot of you and just stared at you you on a couple of occasions. Also seen was a rather skitish juvenile Stoat on the bridge that goes over the canal, it actually appeared on four separate occasions, also seen were Horse, Cow and varoius farmyard animals.


Sparrowhawk kill in the back garden.

On another note, as you can see I witnessed nature in it's purest form yesterday when I looked out of the window into the back garden and saw a female Sparrowhawk tearing apart an unfortunate Collared Dove, to be honest if I'd seen the Sparrowhawk first I'd have scared it off, I know it's only killing for food but I still don't like to see it, but either way the Collared Dove was already dead. It was out there for at least thirty minutes, starting at the head, apparently the brains are the most nutritious and tastiest before moving onto the body. There is a lovely little Collared Dove with a funny wing who comes to the garden every day, especially first thing in the morning and he was forever getting bullied out of the way for the seed, so I constructed a coconut feeder for the fence which only he and the small birds can get in and everyday without fail he sits on the fence waiting for me to got out and feed him, which I always do, and at first I thought it was him but within minutes of the Sparrowhawk departing he appeared along with the House Sparrows, Robins and Tits. There has been a couple of juvenile Collared Doves in the garden lately so I think it was maybe one of them, but it was impossible to tell because the head and neck had gone but you could still see fresh seeds in the poor things stomach. The remains got buried under the apple tree. At the end of the day the Sparrowhawk is still a mighty impressive raptor, it's legs are stunning and it's no wonder that once they've got their prey they're doomed but it was still a pleasure to see it, I don't think the Collared Dove would agree though. The photos of the Sparrowhawk were taken through the kitchen window whilst it was raining so they're not the best quality, but even still they're not too bad, as with all my pictures right click on the mouse and click Open Link In New Tab and you'll get a much better view.

***Update*** 

About an hour after finishing my last upload the Sparrowhawk was back and took an House Sparrow from the took of next doors Laurel bush and when I got up Sunday morning I looked out of my bedroom window only to see the Sparrowhawk take another House Sparrow from the Pyracanthas at the bottom of my garden. I don't think the Sparrowhawk will be happy until it takes all the songbirds from my garden.