A recently fledged Back Redstart
Heading down the sandy track a Buzzard was seen perched on a post and several Skylarks were heard and seen in amongst the various crops and 2 Goldfinches flew past.
The fields here are the classical narrow strips. Here a strip of potatoes was following by a strip of rye, then maize, more potatoes and again maize. The maize only just starting to grow at only a few centimetres tall, whereas the rye at well over a metre dwarfs similar barley.
As I approached the forest a White Stork was seen feeding in a Maize field.
White Stork
I also flushed a Grey Partridge from the edge of this field. The next birds seen were Starlings.
As I passed through the first wooded area to arrive at the lane to Nowa Wies the area in front of me is a new plantation (30cm high conifers) bordered by a 15m strip of mature conifers. It was here that a I saw a Black Woodpecker in March, no luck this time, however I did see a Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Tree Pipit was a delight to watch as it flew up from its perch and "parachuted" back down singing its lovely song.
Within the new plantation area is a small marshy patch bordered by small birch trees, here Yellowhammers were seen.
Beyond this plantation was an area that used to be mixed woodland, which I had previously visited, however this has now been felled. Beyond this is a small dump. Around the edge of the dump are deciduous trees (including birch, oak and elder). Blackcaps were heard (at least 1 seen) signing here as well as Chaffinches and a Jay was also seen here. Over the fields beyond were several Rooks and a White Wagtail was seen in a Maize field.
Oak Leaves
As I headed back along the lane to Nowa Wies a Willow Warbler was heard and a pair of Great Tits. In the trees at the edge of the new plantation was a Hobby and an Ortolan Bunting was perched on one of the birch trees.
Painted Lady butterfly along the lane
Swallows were seen flying high and low down skimming the tops of the crops. In a bare patch of earth was a Wood Lark. Continuing down the Lane 2 Hawfinches were seen in an oak tree. Swifts and House Martins were flying overhead. Blue Tits and Wood Pigeons were seen a Chiffchaff was heard making its familiar call. In the bushes at the edge of the lane was a Wood Warbler.
After passing a farmhouse lies a striking forest of silver birch trees, with row upon row of white barks.
Silver Birch woodland
Silver Birches and Acacia tree
After a short walk the Lane passes through the main forest of the area. I turned right along a forest glade where more Willow Warblers, Tits and Chaffinches were heard. A Treecreeper was spotted climbing a tree, before flying down to the bottom of another tree to begin the process again.
The lane heading through the forest
In a small clearing which has now been replanted with conifers another Tree Pipit was seen and a nice dragonfly (a female Broad-bodied Chaser).
Broad-Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) - femaleIn the next clearing the new plantations are mainly deciduous and the trees here are up to 2 metres high. This area gives good views over much of the forest area. 2 Honey Buzzards were seen soaring over the forest treetops. They were clearly distinguishable from common buzzards as they were soaring on flat wings. Every now and then they would fold their wings back and dive towards the trees before rising back up again. As I was watching the Honey Buzzards a Hoopoe flew across the clearing.
Looking across the newly planted area to the forest, above which Honey Buzzards were soaring
Queen of Spain Fritillary
After this I set off towards an area that I had discovered in March in which a small stream meandered through some grassy meadows. On route I saw a Whinchat sitting on a newly planted oak sapling. I also managed to get another picture of a Painted Lady.
Painted Lady
The stream area turned out to be a little disappointing as there was not a pathway and the grass was pretty tall and damp. I did manage to see another Hoopoe, Golden Oriole and Buzzard.
Back onto the sandy track my next sighting were of a Pheasant, Song Thrush and some Meadow Pipits. In a bushy area I heard the distinctive song of a Nightingale however, as usual, the bird remained well hidden in the bushes. Whilst trying to spot the Nightingale I finally saw my first Red-Backed Shrike of the day.
Red-Backed Shrike (male)
It was now time to head back home. As I may my way to the forest a Kestrel was hovering over the large grassy area. Another Hoopoe flew passed an a Lapwing flew over.
There were many poppies growing at the side of the track.
After heading back through the forest and onto the lane, I heard some frogs croaking in a small pond.
A little further on there was another Red-Backed Shrike and an Ortolan Bunting. In a farmyard in Nowa Wies I saw a family of Tree Sparrows, with the fledglings being fed by the adults.
Just beyond the small shrine I saw another Hoopoe and then a Red-Backed Shrike on some telegraph wires.
Red-Backed Shrike
Returning home the final birds were Jackdaws on the roof. Altogether a total of 45 bird species seen.
Painted Lady butterfly along the lane
Swallows were seen flying high and low down skimming the tops of the crops. In a bare patch of earth was a Wood Lark. Continuing down the Lane 2 Hawfinches were seen in an oak tree. Swifts and House Martins were flying overhead. Blue Tits and Wood Pigeons were seen a Chiffchaff was heard making its familiar call. In the bushes at the edge of the lane was a Wood Warbler.
After passing a farmhouse lies a striking forest of silver birch trees, with row upon row of white barks.
Silver Birch woodland
Silver Birches and Acacia tree
After a short walk the Lane passes through the main forest of the area. I turned right along a forest glade where more Willow Warblers, Tits and Chaffinches were heard. A Treecreeper was spotted climbing a tree, before flying down to the bottom of another tree to begin the process again.
The lane heading through the forest
In a small clearing which has now been replanted with conifers another Tree Pipit was seen and a nice dragonfly (a female Broad-bodied Chaser).
Broad-Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) - femaleIn the next clearing the new plantations are mainly deciduous and the trees here are up to 2 metres high. This area gives good views over much of the forest area. 2 Honey Buzzards were seen soaring over the forest treetops. They were clearly distinguishable from common buzzards as they were soaring on flat wings. Every now and then they would fold their wings back and dive towards the trees before rising back up again. As I was watching the Honey Buzzards a Hoopoe flew across the clearing.
Looking across the newly planted area to the forest, above which Honey Buzzards were soaring
Queen of Spain Fritillary
After this I set off towards an area that I had discovered in March in which a small stream meandered through some grassy meadows. On route I saw a Whinchat sitting on a newly planted oak sapling. I also managed to get another picture of a Painted Lady.
Painted Lady
The stream area turned out to be a little disappointing as there was not a pathway and the grass was pretty tall and damp. I did manage to see another Hoopoe, Golden Oriole and Buzzard.
Back onto the sandy track my next sighting were of a Pheasant, Song Thrush and some Meadow Pipits. In a bushy area I heard the distinctive song of a Nightingale however, as usual, the bird remained well hidden in the bushes. Whilst trying to spot the Nightingale I finally saw my first Red-Backed Shrike of the day.
Red-Backed Shrike (male)
It was now time to head back home. As I may my way to the forest a Kestrel was hovering over the large grassy area. Another Hoopoe flew passed an a Lapwing flew over.
There were many poppies growing at the side of the track.
After heading back through the forest and onto the lane, I heard some frogs croaking in a small pond.
A little further on there was another Red-Backed Shrike and an Ortolan Bunting. In a farmyard in Nowa Wies I saw a family of Tree Sparrows, with the fledglings being fed by the adults.
Just beyond the small shrine I saw another Hoopoe and then a Red-Backed Shrike on some telegraph wires.
Red-Backed Shrike
Returning home the final birds were Jackdaws on the roof. Altogether a total of 45 bird species seen.
No comments:
Post a Comment