Birdlife in Deerness May 2014

By way of a postscript to my April report when I said no Hawfinches had visited this spring - just a few days later there was a female on the lawn. She stayed for just a brief while but it was lovely to see this bird.

Here at Sunnybank we have had a nice selection of birds. A Chiffchaff was flitting around in the back garden - this bird's call echoes its name, ie chiffchaff. Bramblings have brightened up the scene with their orange plumage; there was a female one day then 3 colourful males were around for a couple of days. I had a quick glance of a Blackcap in the bushes before it flew off. A Wheatear was in the field. One morning I was lucky to see a Linnet atop the bushes in our small plantation and I wondered if it was looking for a place to nest. I am pleased to report that we have a Blackbird sat on a nest in the byre.

I had a phone call from Donna Yule of Nethersands to say she had a Black Redstart on her windowsill meaning she had a fine view of this rare species.

As I rounded the corner close to St. Peter's Pool recently I spotted 2 Shelducks in a nearby pool

By way of a postscript to my April report when I said no Hawfinches had visited this spring - just a few days later there was a female on the lawn. She stayed for just a brief while but it was lovely to see this bird.

Here at Sunnybank we have had a nice selection of birds. A Chiffchaff was flitting around in the back garden - this bird's call echoes its name, ie chiffchaff. Bramblings have brightened up the scene with their orange plumage; there was a female one day then 3 colourful males were around for a couple of days. I had a quick glance of a Blackcap in the bushes before it flew off. A Wheatear was in the field. One morning I was lucky to see a Linnet atop the bushes in our small plantation and I wondered if it was looking for a place to nest. I am pleased to report that we have a Blackbird sat on a nest in the byre.

I had a phone call from Donna Yule of Nethersands to say she had a Black Redstart on her windowsill meaning she had a fine view of this rare species.

As I rounded the corner close to St. Peter's Pool recently I spotted 2 Shelducks in a nearby pool

 (Photograph of Shelduck courtesy of Ian Cunningham)

Swallows are now very noticeable - there were a few at Eastersands on May 6th and they are now a common sight as they explore barns, old buildings, etc. for possible nesting sites. Swallows usually have two broods but can have three in a good year. While driving on the road to the Gloup on May 16th there were 4 on the fencing wire then there were several flying around at the Gloup.

Isobel Gardner phoned me one night to say there was a Corncrake calling nearby. I immediately went to hear it for myself and what to joy to listen to this bird as he seeks a mate after his long journey from Africa.

Doing a beached birds survey at Newark I spotted my first Bonxie of the season as it hunted along the coastline.

At the Gloup a Black Guillemot (Tystie) was making itself comfortable on a ledge, while nearby a pair of Pied Wagtails appeared to have selected a crevice as a nesting site.

As you walk by the fields in the parish there are lots of species to be seen - Meadow Pipits, Skylarks calling, Lapwings swooping and making their unmistakable sound, Oystercatchers, Curlews - all intent on making, then defending, their nests.