My World Of Wildlife

Before completing the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch, which as many of you know is a nationwide survey running from January 30th-31st where you have to record the birds in your garden, I visited Warnham Local Nature Reserve. Visiting the Woodpecker hide, there was a lot of activity at the feeders, with more species appearing than I have seen there for a long time. It was quite nice to see a lesser Redpoll as well as Siskin and Redpoll returning to Warnham. Goldfinch Long-Tailed Tit Here is what I saw: Redpoll Siskin Lesser Redpoll Great Spotted Woodpecker Greenfinch Goldfinch Blue Tit Great Tit Long-Tailed Tit Bullfinch Magpie Robin Blackbird Dunnock Reed Bunting Chaffinch Shoveler Tufted Duck Great Black-Backed Gull Black-Headed Gull Goldcrest Coot Mallard Treecreeper Nuthatch Pochard Big Garden Birdwatch This year I decided to take part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch at my Nan's house. She has regular visitors unlike my gard...

There was very thick fog up at Leith Hill today whilst I was bird ringing and we had to keep 'pinging' the nets because of the moisture. Amongst the fog we saw a group of around 10 Chaffinches as well as the usual Siskins. For the first time I extracted birds from the nets. These were a Greenfinch, Redpoll, Great Tit and Robin.                                   I also ringed a Coal Tit and 2 very feisty Blue Tits. My trainer, Sam, found this in the bushes. As you might know this is a balloon that was attached to what we think was a Green Woodpecker....   I will be writing about this soon.                                  

For the first day today it actually felt like winter. Tiny, sparkling, diamond-like ice crystals clutching on to the grass, blue skies and the following trail of small clouds as you breathe out. We went to RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve. I was using my new Opticron Explorer WA binoculars which are great as they are beautifully clear and light, easy to use and are perfect to spot birds. Opticron Explorer WA binoculars I spend most of my time in the first hide which looks over the majority of the reserve. In front of us were around 40 Wigeon with a pair of Shovelers hidden between them. On the far bank their was surprisingly a juvenile Peregrine Falcon, I think it might of been the same one I saw last time! Record shot- Juvenile Peregrine Falcon with its back to me. When someone said Snipe I rushed over to the furthest point in the hide. Extremely well camouflaged, 7 Snipe were jabbing the mud. I have never seen so many together! In the distance there were ...

As it wasn't raining this morning I made the most of it and spent a couple of hours at Chesworth Farm in Horsham. Strolling along the main path there were many birds around including Song Thrush and Blackbird. As I reached the end of the path a group of Long-Tailed Tits were scattered in the trees parallel to where I was walking. Hidden among them were two tiny Goldcrests. As me, my mum and dog walked along the fields quite a number of Fieldfare and Redwing sung at the tops of the surrounding trees and bushes. There were also a flock of noisy Starling. As we reached the newly made Wetland I spotted a Grey Heron well hidden among the Reeds, it is quite amazing how still they are! As I was leaving I spotted a Female Kestrel perched in a tree. As I approached it slowly I managed to get right under the tree it was sitting on! That is what I call a brilliant wildlife experience... Kestrel Total species list: Bullfinch Blackbird Song Thrush Blue Tit Great Tit Long-Ta...

As you might know quite a few weeks ago I sent a letter to Nicky Morgan MP regarding the lack of environmental education in schools across the UK (you can see that here:  http://myathebirder.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/letter-to-nicky-morgan-mp.html  ). Well today I got a reply back from Nick Gibb MP, the minister for schools. I was glad I got a reply and I am interested to hear about the new Geography Curriculum which I think I am going to inquire about at school as I am in KS3 and haven't been taught about any 'fieldwork.'

It is finally 2016 and that means making some New Year's Resolutions! 1. This year I would like to meet some other young naturalists like me and hopefully I will be able to achieve this if I am lucky enough to get a place in this years BTO Bird Camp! 2. To visit different nature reserves. To start with I am hopefully going to visit RSPB Pagham Habour at the weekend. I would really like to go to more coastal nature reserves and visit different habitats to see a different variety of birds. 3. Take more photos and enter more competitions! This year I would really like to take different photos of more birds and wildlife. And of course with competitions you have to be in it to win it! Finally I would just like to say I have recently entered the UK Blog Awards and next week I can start asking for votes! So look out for that post next week...