Ploughed Up

After lunch with Mark playing catch up with each others news we took a look at the Brambling flock at Bagington Airport but alas the plough had done its job and only a few Linnet noted loafing around.
Arrived at Cathiron just as the sun came out which increased the feeding activity with Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Jay, Buzzard noted among the commoner species while only 6 Mute Swan were at Newnhams Lodge and 40 Fieldfare at Church Lawford noted on the way home.

Bramblings still a plenty

A bitterly cold and overcast visit to Bagington Airport for another look at the finch flock. At least 150 Brambling and 200 Linnet still present.

All the 'Bs'

Late afternoon look at the Bagington Airport Bramblings with 200 still plus 400 Linnet and 200 Chaffinch then a slow walk to Newlands, Brandon Marsh produced flight views of Barn Owl and Bittern so at least a productive day if you include the fly over by the space shed..
Bob did the pond and had no sign of Black-necked Grebes or Smew though he did manage some nice shots of regular species.

Cormorant

Pochard

Tree Sparrow

Bramblings

Out looking for owls early paid off with 2 Barn Owls hunting the road side verge between the A45 junction and Sawbridge. At least 6 Buzzards in the valley along with 10 Tree Sparrow on the Baseley Smallholding feeders and a further 50 nearby along with 50 Yellowhammer and a Sparrowhawk.

Met up with Colin at the Long Itch diner then went to Bagington Airport where he had found a large finch flock containing at least 80 Brambling earlier. The flock had separated and was spread out but managed at least 200 Brambling and 300 Linnets in fields opposite where they are storing railway stock.

Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch & Marsh Tit Cathiron by Bob and April Hazel.

Waffle

Four Waxwings and a Buzzard over the garden and 3 passes of the space shed hid the previous evening disappointment of the weather failing to clear as forecast-ed in time to see the ‘brick’ make its near miss approach.
This was on top of my already woe is thee mood after having my ass well and truly kicked by Dave. If you are in to Scrabble then here’s the scene. You have 4 tiles left and you are 104 points in front of boy wonder. He has 7 tiles left and no chance – then he goes in to warp drive finds a 7 letter word giving him 50 bonus points plus 56 scoring points and beats me by 2. Gob smacked.

Pond pics today

No change on the health front - 2 steps forward 3 back so starting to lose my motivation. Bob did the pond today and sent me a nice set of pictures.

Black-necked Grebes Draycote Water by Bob Hazel

Jay Draycote Water by Bob Hazel

Feathered Plant caused by the wind whipping up the feathers the gulls lose in the roost

Meanwhile Mark Phillips had a Waxwing oppostite his house on Wednesday and Thursday in Lytham Road Rugby while all I have managed is the large female Sparrowhawk displaying after being absence for most of the winter.

The space 'brick' is coming

Asteroid 2012DA14 half the size of a football field it will make a close approach to Earth next Friday 15th February 2013, when she comes within 17,200 miles (27,680 kilometers) but poses no threat of colliding with our planet, 

This is the closest  an asteroid the size of 2012DA14, which is about 150 feet (45 meters) wide, that astronomers have known about in advance. The asteroid will not only pass between Earth and the moon's orbit, but also fly lower than the ring of geosynchronous communications, weather and navigation satellites that fly high above our planet. Asteroid 2012DA14 will be 5,000 miles (8,046 km) closer to Earth than those satellites during the flyby. She should appear in the evening sky after 8pm but her brightness will be about magnitude 7 and fading as the evening progress so it wont be a naked eye object. Should be view-able through binoculars or a small telescope and I think the best chance of seeing her is when she passes the handle of the 'plough'. 

No doubt I have given her the kiss of death when it comes to visiability so on that theme the space shed is up and about in our evening sky's again

Med Gull

A damp morning so trawled the valley checking on gulls managing to find 2000 Common Gulls near Flecknoe Railway Cottages and a winter plumage adult Med Gull among the 500 Black-headed Gulls near Woodbine Farm. Plenty of flocks of Fieldfare around and the only other bird of note were 30+ Tree Sparrow at the Baseley Smallholding where they had a male Merlin perched on the entrance gate yesterday.

Another failure

Another half hearted attempt to get out failed miserable at Brandon Marsh where I got no further than the visitors center  Earlier the trip over Lawford Heath produced 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Buzzard, 300 Fieldfare and adult Yellow-legged Gull in Ling Lane. A check on Newnhams Lodge on the way home failed to find a single Mute Swan though there at least 300 Wigeon and 300 Fieldfare. Managed to locate 6 Mutes between Church and Long Lawford.

Black-necks remain

The 2 Black-necked Grebe remain at the pond but were not as photogenic as Bobs images of Siskin and Jay he captured this morning. The usual Friday visitors to the feeding station at Brandon Marsh while 73 Mute Swan and 200 Wigeon were at Kings Newnham.

Jay by Bob Hazel

Siskin by Bob Hazel

Finally HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY to PAUL 'The Bear' Cashmore sorry I couldn't attend your curry night tonight. God - I remember when you were handsome.