Kept since March ยท somewhere north of the river

Nature Logbook

A running log of birds seen, weather noted, and the odd thing that stopped me mid-walk. Kept mostly for my own memory.

14
Nov

Fieldfares moving through

A loose flock of maybe forty came over just after eight, calling that dry chak-chak the whole way. First proper arrival this year — a fortnight later than last autumn, for what that's worth.

A fieldfare perched on a bare hawthorn branch against a grey sky
One of the stragglers, settled on the hawthorn by the gate.
turdus pilarisriver path, dawn
02
Nov

A quiet morning at the reedbed

Little to report and that was fine. A water rail squealed once from somewhere I couldn't place, and a kingfisher went past low and fast, which always feels like more than its share of colour for one bird.

alcedo atthisreedbed hide
26
Oct

Waxwings, finally

Been checking the rowan by the car park for a week out of habit. Eight of them this morning, stripping berries with that odd unhurried greed. Stood there longer than I meant to.

A small crested bird perched among red berries
Two of the eight, mid-argument over the same branch.
bombycilla garruluscar park rowans
19
Oct

The heron's usual spot

Still there, still refusing to acknowledge me from twenty feet away. I've started to suspect it's the same bird as last winter by sheer stubbornness alone.

ardea cinereamill pond