A Lockdown walk

Lockdown walks can be fairly non productive in respect of nature. This is of course dependant on the areas that you can walk under such restrictions. However, it is surprising what can be observed even in the most modest of nature areas. 

Here are some scenes and subjects observed on a recent walk.

All of the birds observed are what one would expect to see at this time.

 

Reed Bunting (Female)

This female Reed Bunting certainly has the plumage to hide amongst the reeds.

On a pre lockdown walk around Radipole Lake Weymouth, I did eventually find her by using binoculars. The Reed Bunting is a farmland and wetland species feeding mainly on seeds and insects, therefore Radipole is a good habitat throughout the year.

Beardies

It wouldn't be January without a few Bearded Tit images.

It's a time when they are frantically searching for food and are not worried too much about onlookers.

Fieldfare and Redwing

During my Lockdown walk over recent days, I had discovered an apple tree in a small strip of young woodland along side the pathway. The tree had discarded most of its apple on the ground beneath. I considered this to be a place worth checking frequently, as it was just the place to find Fieldfare and Redwing. Known by some as Winter Thrushes. Both species visit UK from Scandinavia during the Winter period.

On this latest visit I observed bird activity under and nearby the tree.

Sure enough it was a single Fieldfare, a single Redwing, two Blackbirds and a Robin.

The Fieldfare was driving off the Redwing and a Blackbirds from the base of the apple tree and the immediate area. Considering it to be a losing battle he then concentrated on just the base of the tree. On occasions he would retire to the upper branches. Occasionally the Fieldfare would swoop down on the other birds, driving them off a short distance.

The Redwing frequently made sorties onto the fallen apples, but was driven off by the Fieldfare. It eventually wised up and found apples further away from the immediate area of the main bunch. The Blackbirds maintained a good distance and were more interested in turning over fallen leaves around the trees generally.

The Robin did the same.