Psilos
Bird Journal |
Friday April
4th 2008 |
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"Spring
calling " |
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Out with the winter birds and
in with the spring ones. Today the switch over was hugely apparent but
it isnt only the visual that changes, you have to get used to the sounds
of spring again too. Gone is the "chuck chuck" and "weeee"
of the Fieldfares and Redwings to be replaced by the rythmic call of
the Chifchaff and the long drawn out serenade of the Willow warbler.
It is a good while since I last visited Doffocker and as there seems
to be nothing much of interest on the water I let the rich cacophony
of bird song wash over me. |
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The call of the Chiffchaff
I expected as it is the earliest of all the migrants to return and start
to make his presence felt. There were several birds around but they
were constantly on the move, travelling long distances between bouts
of calling and I quickly gave up the chase. The Willow warbler was far
more surprising. There is no call that signifies summer more and having
arrived all the way from South Africa he was very vocal indeed. |
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A third spring
thrill was also about to put in an appearance. Whilst scanning the water
for any signs of life a Swallow shot past at a rapid rate of knots.
Now I know that summer is on its way. That means my Terns will not be
far behind (end of April) and I so cant wait for their return. Terns
at Doffcocker is what I look forward to more than anything! |
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The Reed bunting is also a
common bird here and the males were in fine song today. Usually you
can get no where near them but today I was in luck. In a patch of hedging
just off the main path he sat. Slowly I inched forward until I got within
good shooting distance. Getting a clear view wasnt all that easy amongst
the branches and he is only a small bird but I think I did the best
I could given the circumstances. Who can ask for more than that? |
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