Local patch

The calm between the storms, Barton Clough

Afternoon stroll around my local patch in between rain storms. Everything seemed quiet at first but a couple of jays put paid to that. The Winter flocks of magpies are starting to build up, nineteen birds all told today. A couple of dozen woodpigeons were scattered about.

Jay, Lostock Park

Jay, Lostock Park

Jay, Lostock Park

Jay, Lostock Park

A couple of chiffchaffs joined the small mixed tit flock that worked its way through the bushes by the old railway line. Good to see a couple of blackbirds, they've been a bit thin on the ground here just lately. Four mistle thrushes flew over but didn't land. 

Just as I was getting a bit worried about this Autumn's goldfinch numbers twenty-three of them flew in and landed in the top of one of the alders. Still down on last year but not bad.

A kestrel came in and hovered over the school, spooking a flock of pigeons and a third jay. Then I scuttled off back home while my luck was holding with the weather.