Strange day today, early morning rain, then a short respite before a storm raced in only to last a short while and then give way to clearing skies and a cold north westerly winds.
Early afternoon I looked out of the back window and saw a Red Kite drifting over the far trees.
As I watched it move away to the right, and towards the A31 I noticed another one just behind it.
There were three around in the autumn, so I wonder if these are the two adults, they were far to far away to tell unfortunately.
I had the the time during the afternoon for a late walk, so decided to head off to Plain Farm. As I walked up the hill towards Lye Way, I looked back at the field. Just recently sheep have been put into these fields when usually these are pastures for cattle. The view in the late sunshine looked quite impressive.
As with everywhere at the moment there were plenty of Blackbirds around. They don't feed in flocks, like Fieldfare and Redwing, and they get annoyed if one gets too close, but if there is food available they will be seen in numbers.
It was quiet on Lye Way, but as I turned into Charlwood there was a little more activity with tits and Chaffinches calling and moving through the hedgerow. I could hear a Bullfinch calling but was unable to find it.
Just past the horse paddocks, I noticed a lump in the field, closer inspection showed the lump to be a Hare that was trying desperately to hide behind the grass.
I walked along the bye way to get a closer view. The hare remained still convinced of course that I couldn't see him, despite the fact that with those eyes it could clearly see me.
Finally it realised that I was getting too close and was up and away, the run though was rather springy, a bit like a Springbok, and it would flick its bob tail up to show the white fur underneath.
It then stopped, and stood up on its back hind legs and looked around as if to see where it would be best to go next.
It stood like that for a short while then dropped to the ground and sped off towards the road.
I made my way back to Charlwood, and then towards the Plain Farm footpaths. I could see Fieldfare in the treetops, and then watched them dropping into the field, so I decided to give the field behind the cottages a look and sure enough there was a flock of 25 Fieldfare and at least 5 Redwing. This was the first feeding flock I have seen this winter.
It was very quiet as I walked down the footpath, with very little about. I flushed a pair of Bullfinches, and a Kestrel from the wire. Once on the road I could hear partridges, and then saw some movement behind the grasses and could see at least three Grey Partridges.
I moved to get a better view, and could then see that there was in fact a large covey. I counted 15, but before I could raise the camera they were off, and flew off over the hedge and low across the field to the far side.
As I scanned across the field I found the Kestrel, and then watched it fly up to one of the poles. As ever I tried to get as close as possible, but this was the best I could do this time.
At the barns a Pied Wagtail called as it balanced on the wires.
I chased three Pheasants down the lane towards the drying barns, but other than them, and a few Chaffinches it was as if everything was getting ready for the night. I crossed the road at the bottom, and headed up the lane towards the Keeper's Cottage. Looking back again the sheep in the field and the low sunshine made for a lovely picture.
All quiet from there on, but as I passed the cottage I was rushed at by the Turkeys, they had survived Christmas, and were clearly hungry.
As I reached the avenue, the sun came out in full, and the low winter sunlight cast a lovely golden light on the beech trees.
As I came out onto the footpath the Jackdaws were gathering for the roost, their clacks sounding all over the gardens, as they came from all over area to roost in the conifer trees.
I hung around for awhile as the sun dropped away, I was hoping for a sighting of an owl or raptor, but as always it wasn't to be, You can't say I haven't tried this winter!
Finally I decided to head back to the car. As I walked down the hill towards the car I noticed the state of the pasture. When the cattle are there it doesn't seem to cut up at all, but the sheep have really made a mess, leaving muddy trails all over the place.
It must be because they all seem to follow each other in line, and walk the same place that the ground cuts up.
The journey home was uneventful, it had though been a Golden Brown afternoon.
Despite my New Year resolution to stretch my boundaries in 2015, the first outing was always going to have to be around the patch. Over the last few days, commitments or the weather has kept us away, so today was the first opportunity. Over the course of the last few days though we have seen Red Kite on both the Basingstoke and Odiham roads, and the garden has continued to be busy with the Starlings and Goldfinches competing to see who can eat me out of house and home first, the Goldfinch flock now reaching about 20 to 30 birds.
The morning was foggy, and there didn't seem to be any point in going out as it would have been impossible to see anything, so we took the time to bring Christmas to an end once again, and have a good breakfast. We finally set off at around midday, it was still foggy but there were signs that the sun may put in an appearance.
After yesterday's rain we decided to stick as much as possible to the roads. As we came down Lymington Rise we were informed that there had been a Roe Deer in the gardens, I have seen them on our front lawn in the snow at night, but never seen them in daylight so close to the houses, a sign that the building work is affecting their routes?
We headed up Brislands, all around us we could hear the songs of Robins, the mist has the effect of amplifying sound, but they seemed to be singing everywhere.
The horse paddock just past the recreation ground is now a little more open. As well as the Woodpigeons, and the Blackbirds feeding there was a small group of Goldfinches feeding on the seed heads of the grasses.
These Goldfinches have obviously not heard about the food on offer in my garden.
A little further on there was the call of a Jay, and I quickly found it in the small field just beyond the pink house. This is a regular spot, and during the autumn I had seem a pair here too, probably caching nuts and acorns. This one was searching in amongst the grass hillocks, so I can only assume it was looking for the autumn cache.
As we watched the Jays, as there were now two present, movement in the next field caught my eye, it was a Green Woodpecker feeding in amongst the grass.
The second Jay then came into the open and posed for me, please believe me, I know this looks just like the other one. Jays mate for life so I assume this to be a pair, both sexes are impossible to tell apart in the field, only a Jay is able to do that.
Jays have increased in numbers since I started my blog, and they have also become more prepared to use garden as a source for food. Today we counted at least four pairs as we walked.
As we came out into the open the mist was beginning to burn off, and there were patches of brighter, and in some places even blue sky. The mist though still hung around in the sheltered colder areas the sun could not penetrate.
We headed down the hill, with the songs of more Robins, and now as if spurred on by the brightening skies the calls and song of numerous Great Tits.
As we reached the cattle sheds we looked out for the resident House Sparrows, there was no chirping but we could see movement in the hedge. As I made my way to get a little closer a sharp high pitched call caught my attention and a flash of yellow flew past in an exaggerated undulating flight. I knew immediately what it was, and as a result I had reached the magic One Hundred!
A Grey Wagtail, but now it had gone around the cattle barns, and I couldn't find it. Helen called my attention to a flock of birds flying over, and in my haste to see them, I nearly fell over. I never did see them, and possibly missed a flock of Golden Plover, but I was intent on photographing the wagtail. I went to the far barn, and flushed it again from a puddle, it flew around the back of the barn, and I followed, but there was no way round, so I came back. I slowly peered around the gap between the first and second barn, and found it on the mud, characteristically pumping the tail, an action that is so strong that its whole rear end rocks.
It bobbed and moved around the puddles pecking at the edge of the water.
In winter the black throat markings are rep[laced with white. Adult birds tend to have a yellower breast, so as a result I would consider this bird to be a first winter, that has maybe gotten a little lost, we are a long way away from a fast flowing stream.
It moved around and was joined by a Pied Wagtail before flying off and disappearing for good. As I searched a male Pheasant appeared from nowhere and proceeded to slowly walk along the back of the hedge.
Grey Wagtail was one of the birds on my potential list, but not one I expected to find in a farmyard puddle, that said I am grateful to it, and it has the honour of being my One Hundredth Four Marks bird.
Buoyant once again, as is always the case when I find something new, we headed down the lane. In the field by the farm buildings Helen found a Meadow Pipit sitting preening on a small sapling. It had probably just had a wash, and was taking the chance to preen in the sunshine.
Another joined it, and flushed it from the perch, and as a result it came closer to the lane.
As we watched the two Meadow Pipits a Robin came very close to watch us, the objective no doubt was to see what meal we may disturb in the mud and leaf litter. I just know it wanted me to take its photograph really.
Looking back up towards Old Down, the sky was now a clear blue, and the sun was casting those characteristic long winter shadows.
We headed south along Court Lane, the sun now quite warm on our faces. If there were a lot of singing Robins about, then they were almost matched by the number of foraging Blackbirds. The local Blackbirds have been joined over the winter by migrants arriving from Europe. These birds can have a duller yellow bill, this though can be difficult to distinguish from the first winter birds that also have a duller bill, and dark eye ring. This one seems to me to be somewhere in between, could this be a continental visitor?
We walked up Swelling Hill, with a flock of 16 Common Gulls in amongst the sheep. The more normal wagtail around here, the Pied Wagtail was preening on the apex of the roof of the old post office by Andrew Lane.
Just after Christmas there were signs of the Snowdrops coming out, today they were well on the way, and joined by a small group of primroses (all though I don't consider those wild).
Silver birches are one of my favourite trees, and in winter the silver birch trees look amazing, the silvery bark never looking better than when it is lit by the golden sun against a blue winter sky. The only thing that can improve that though is a Great Spotted Woodpecker perched on that silver bark.
Swelling Hill lives up to its name, it is a tough walk, and it is always a relief when you can see the footpath sign to Old Down Wood by the cottage there.
At this time of year the sun is at its strongest between twelve and two o'clock in the afternoon, and it was no surprise then as we came out into the open to see the mist returning.
it was nearly two o'clock, and the sun was losing the battle with the mist as it rolled back pushing thin clouds back to start to shut out the weak sunshine.
At the pond the water was producing mirror like reflections, creating that surreal upside down world.
As we left the pond, a Sparrowhawk zipped past us and over the garden hedges causing a chorus of alarm calls and scattering a sizeable flock of small finches, probably Goldfinches. As usual the hawk kept going, say what you like a kestrel is a confiding bird when compared to a Sparrowhawk.
It was now getting cold, and as a result the bird calls had pretty much died away. At the farm buildings a Wren scurried around on the wall of a small border, its scolding call piercing the mist.
As we walked towards Hawthorn Lane Great Tits flew in amongst the hedges, and above us a Nuthatch called as it moved though the branches searching the lichen and moss on the branches for any meal before bed time.
Our next destination was a cup of coffee at the Tree House, after that we headed home across the field. Nothing else of interest appeared on the last leg of the walk, but that was not a surprise as the mist had rolled back fully by now, and it was quite cold, if not yet freezing.
The decision to wait for the mist to lift had been the right one, and as a result it had produced a big surprise, and that all important nudge through the covers, and that quick single to put up the hundred. What will be next, you just never know.
The weather since Christmas has been cold, frosty but with some beautiful sunshine. The mornings have all been like this.
We have taken the opportunity to venture further a field, and the cold clear weather produced a wonderful day at Titchfield Haven, the details of which can be seen on the Away Blog.
As we reach the end of the year it is a time to look back on the past 12 months and look forward to the New Year and all it brings. As far as the patch is concerned it would be nice to get that one hundredth bird, and there surely will be plenty of opportunity.
But for now lets look back on the last twelve months, and enjoy once again the amazing nature that can be found around Four Marks, if you just get out there and look
The music? Well it is by Dean Wareham, and is called "Happy and Free (Jim James Remix)", somehow it just seemed appropriate.
The new year is a time for pondering and taking new decisions for the coming year. I have intensely walked the patch for three years now, and I have enjoyed every minute of it, finding unusual things and watching the years unfold, however I now feel that I need to branch out a bit more. I will not be abandoning Four Marks, far from it, but I want to spend a little more time enjoying nature further a field, there are many sites in Hampshire that I would like to see at the different times of the year, and of course beyond. I will keep the "Around Four Marks" blog going, but may not be writing so many posts. The "Away Blog" will record those days away from Four Marks, and I hope they will provide some interesting reading, and of course photographs
Happy New Year and I look forward to sharing my stories with you all in 2015.
Well that is that for another year, as long as it takes to prepare the inverse is how quickly it is gone! Christmas Day was a lovely day, cold clear and sunny. The garden was busy all day, the starlings the main event supported well by feisty little Goldfinches. I was lucky enough to see a Sparrowhawk zip through, coming over the fence, dropping low over the lawn and then turning sharply through an impossibly small gap in the hedge and away. The small birds scattered and were successful in evading this wonderfully agile hunter.
There were two predictions on Christmas Eve, one that the snowman would be gone by Boxing Day, and that the Redwings would start in force on the berries on the tree across the road. Both were wrong, although the snowman is just hanging on, and the berries were visited by the Redwing but not in sufficient numbers to clean out the tree.
It was a cold bleak day with a very fresh northerly wind. A Red Kite had been over the house during the morning, probably looking out for bits of left over turkey.
The morning had been sunny but by the time we set off to blow the cobwebs away the clouds had rolled in. We walked up Brislands, and came across a Rook with a deformed bill, in comparison with the other Rook, both mandibles do not look right, but it does not seem to have stopped the Rook from growing and obviously it doesn't impact its chance of finding friends.
Once again the bird calls had fallen quiet, the cold meaning that they had to focus on finding food to keep warm. As we came out into the open looking across the stubble field the colours in the ground contrasted with the grey of the trees and the sky.
We walked past the entrance to Old Down, just stopping briefly to watch a pair of Wrens calling. As we headed down the lane towards the Soak, a pair of Jays flew ahead of us, and then started calling noisily in the tree by the side of the lane. We stopped to see if we could get a view, several Woodpigeon flew out, then finally the Jays, and as I followed them I noticed a larger bird coming from the direction of Old Down. It was a Red Kite, by the light chest and vent this is a juvenile bird, and probably the same one that was over the house earlier today.
The Kite drifted off towards the A31, and we walked on only to see a Kestrel hunting over the side of the hedgerow.
Once again it was so intent on hunting it allowed us to walk towards it getting a closer view.
There are no suitable posts or wires here, so it was dependent on hovering, which in this weather is not very efficient.
We headed down to the barns expecting to see and hear the house Sparrows, it was though very quiet. As we walked past the barns Helen pointed out a single Sparrow in the hedge.
Closer inspection though revealed there to be quite a few in the hedge, they were just keeping quiet.
At the bottom of the hill we turned up towards Ropley. A large flock of gulls, both Black-headed and Common drifted over heading towards the fields on the other side of the A31 with the sheep.
As we walked we could here the chuffing of the steam trains on the Watercress Line, and every so often there was the whistle that pierced the cold afternoon air.
Fieldfare were flying over, their chuckling calls giving them away, there were also a few Redwing seeps mixed in, but for once the dominant thrush was the Fieldfare.
The sun came out momentarily, and once again the low winter sunshine would set the tree tops with the Fieldfare in them a glow against the dark grey of the cold clouds.
The road side verge here is quite sheltered and is always one of the first places to find flowering Snow drops in the winter. This year the mild November has sped them up, and the first flowers are just appearing, and it is not yet 2015.
As we walked towards the pond I noticed a distant bird, which turned out to be a Sparrowhawk. A little further on, and it suddenly appeared closer causing the alarm calls to ring out from the hedgerows and trees.
Three raptors today, but no sign yet of the commonest.
The horse paddocks held a few Redwing and Blackbird, and as we turned down towards the school, a Mistle Thrush could be seen sitting on a roof. It for once allowed me to get quite close. The spots on a Mistle Thrush are round, where as those of a Song Thrush have the appearance of an arrow. By the condition of the bill I would suggest this one had been in the horse paddock, and was now taking a rest.
We walked along Lymington Bottom, and the dark clouds in the distance threatened rain. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called, and we found it in a Silver Birch tree. For once this one was a male, the red visible on the back of the neck.
As we approached home the familiar silhouette appeared above the trees in Lymington Rise once more. The Red Kite was back, I wonder if it does find food in the gardens?
Back home as I took off my boots I could hear the starlings chattering away in the trees around the garden. They sit here and send little sorties down to the garden, they have been extremely entertaining this Christmas.
As the sun dropped and the we drank a warm cup of coffee the birds put in one final feeding frenzy. Right on time the Long-tailed Tits arrived, I counted at least ten in this flock, but they never managed to cover the feeder in the same way as Christmas Eve.
This female Blackbird guarded this apple, chasing off anything that tried to have a slice.
As the rain came, and sun started to slip away the birds left the garden, and the only sound that could be heard was the whistles and puffing of the trains away in the distance.
