Holly Blue on Lockdown week five

Holly Blue (Feckenham)

Holly Blue (Feckenham)

Jackdaw (Feckenham)

Goldcrest (Feckenham)

Goldcrest (Feckenham)

Speckled Wood (Feckenham)

Goldcrest - note the red (Feckenham)

Speckled Wood (Feckenham)

Robin (Feckenham)

Common Whitethroat

Red Admoral (Feckenham)

Collared Doves

Song Thrush - very stong beak

Feckenham Church from cricket ground

Garden Hedgehog

Sadly not additions to my lockdown list this week, it's going to be difficult now to add many more. I've been cycling out to Feckenham where the lads play cricket, there is a mix of habitats around there and I always find the church yard interesting.

I managed to get some improved photos of the Holly Blues that have emerged to date, still non with wings open though. Speckled Woods, Peacocks, Red Admiral, Orange-tips and Small Whites were also noted.

The best sighting of the week was a very confident Goldcrest in the middle of the church yard. I have included one image of the back of the bird as it shows the scarlet at the back of the crown indicating it was a male.

We did have some garden excitement when a Hedgehog appeared. Whilst initally concerned it had appeared during the day, all seemed fine and the meal worms I'm putting out each evening seem to be very popular.

Week 4 Lockdown listing

 Common Whitethroat

  Common Whitethroat

 Common Whitethroat

Male Blackcap

 Common Whitethroat

Midweek sunset

Only two additions this week despite my best efforts. My first Lesser Whitethroat showed itself on Monday which was quickly followed up the following day with a Common Whitethroat.

By the end of the week I had a really showing Common Whitethroat on the perimeter on the old sewage works.

The lockdown list is now 61.

Week 3 of lockdown listing........

 Blackcap in the blossom

 Orange Tip

 Linnet

 Speckled Wood

 Orange Tip

 Goldfinch

 Speckled Wood

 Pink Moon

 Long-tailed Kit

 Green Woodpecker

Chiffchaff

Five new species added this week which were a Tawny Owl calling for two nights, a Rook, Cormorant flying over house, Willow Warblers and some Barn Swallows.

On Tuesday a White-taile Eagle was seen over Bidford then again over Malvern on Wednesday. I did head to the hill hoping on the small chance it might head over but no luck.

Monday - 1 Swallow, 4 Swallow, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone

Tuesday - 2 Willow Warbler & Tawny Owl.

Wednesday - Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Swallow, Orange-tip, Holly Blue, Painted Lady, Small White & Pink Moon.

Thursday -  Nothing of note

Friday - Blackcaps, Swallow, Red Kite over house, Cormorant & Rook

Saturday - Emmergance of Orange tips, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Larged White

Sunday - 2 Speckled Wood

Lockdown birding (West Redditch)

Treecreeper

Goldcrest

Song Thrush

Fieldfare

Blackbird

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Greenfinch

Horse paddocks

View south

Moon views

Roe Deer

Goldfinch

Malvern views

With the outbreak of COVID-19 forcing everyone to stay home, I mapped out a series of routes from my home on the edge of Redditch making the most of my permitted time allowed for exercise. My best find on this area historically is a Common Redstart.

The habitat is quite mixed and rather secluded. There are a number of small pools in the area but nothing that would attract a wader. I've love to find a Ring Ouzel here during spring migration but I could just be being very hopeful.  

From the highest points you get excellent views of Bredon & Malvern Hills, whilst closer to home you can see the masts at Upton Warren. 

Most of the birding is as expected in all honesty but I've really enjoyed walking and trying differnet routes from home and adding in something new each day. I had been struggling for a few expected species but given a bit of patience they have duly been added. 

The Treecreeper we watched at close quarters was particually enjoyable whilst by the end of the week there were Chiffchaffs  everywhere and the first of the Blackcaps had arrived. I've created a page as a permanent record and I'll keep an updated list.

After the first two weeks of lockdown I'd recorded 53 species including Red Kite, Skylark & Yellowhammer.