A surprise garden visitor

As I just finished my breakfast a flash of brown swept down from above the conservatory towards the fence. I knew instantly that the blur was a Sparrowhawk after one of the many sparrows in the garden. I quickly leaped to my feet to see where it had gone, I couldnt see it flying off and assumed it had gone to ground next door perhaps with its catch.

I raced upstairs and saw that it was in fact perched on the fence. Turning I ran to the office to fetch my camera, of course it was downstairs with the wrong lens on. Luckily it was still present and I was able to snatch a few shots. It seemed very interested in the next doors garden and dropped down to the floor beneath a bush, perhaps it had knocked a bird down there? It was out of sight for a moment and then flew up and away.

VGY hatches 6 Cygnets

Today VGY and ATZ's cygnets hatched. 6 little bundles of fluff are now resting from the efforts of extracting themselves from their shells on the nest, whilst their proud father jealously patrols the water by them.

VGY is a female Mute Swan who I have known for 6 years. We first met in 2002 when she used to nest at the Saxon Mill. Her mate then was ZNY. Between 2002 and 2005 they raised 11 cygnets to adulthood.

Sadly in the winter of 2005/06 her partner ZNY was killed by a car. She returned to the winter herd in St Nicholas Park. There after a brief flirtation with AFO she paired with an Untagged Male. She took him back to the Saxon Mill where he built a nest for her. Unfortunatly the nest was too low down the mud bank and in heavy rains it was washed away. The following year - 2007 the pair were more successful and hatched 6 cygnets all of whom made it to adulthood. Severe flooding in the summer saw them move from the river to the Canal where VGY remained. In the course of the year the Untagged male disappeared and then on the 1st April 2008 VGY was seen sat on a nest on the canal with a new mate ATZ.

Oakley Woods Saved

Oakley Woods has been saved from development by Warwickshire District Council. The woodland alongside the Crematorium was up for sale. It was possible it would have become a private woodland and use its hunting and shooting rights.

After a campaign by locals and support by local councillors the Council have bought the site for £320,000. They plan to develop the wood as a sustainable public amenity. The ancient woodland includes an Iron Age fort and it is hoped the wood many of the mature native trees that were replaced with conifers after the war will be returned over the next 20 years.

Pigeons and Kingfishers

Whilst out walking this morning around Priory Park I was treated not only to a fleeting glimpse of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redwing and the usual Woodland birds but a particular fat pigeon and a very at ease Kingfisher.

The kingfisher was fishing on St Johns Brook and allowed me to get quiet close and take the best photos I have managed to despite many hours sat beside the river at the Saxon Mill.

A tasty treat for a Peregrine

The Peregines continues to frequent St Mary's Tower and as they do more evidence of their feeding habits. Excellent photos have been taken by Steve Valentine this morning of the pair - http://steve-valentine.fotopic.net/



In previous years birders have told me of the various wader and pigeon carcasses found around the roost site, this year further grisly sights have been recorded and reported in the Courier.


Whilst out this morning I found evidence of perhaps last nights meal - the severed head of a Green Woodpecker.

A Peregrine at Last

Each winter a Peregrine Falcon roosts on St Marys Church Tower unfortunatly I have never been able to see it.

Assured that it was showing well I started trying agin this year. After several disappointing trips I went on the spur of the moment on Sunday. I went at 4.30pm. I wandered around the churchyard for awhile and the took up post on a bench. By 5pm I decided to do another loop of the churchyard it was here I met another birder looking for the Falcon. As the light started to fade I began to leave just as a Male flew in.

The bird was magnificent. It had a full crop and looked in great condition. I watched it until it grew too dark. Unfortunatly the light was too poor for a photograph as you can see from this digiscoped image - its a Peregrine...just.

Apparently a female has also been sighted roosting on the tower and I m hoping they stay into the breeding season.

Sightings at the Saxon Mill

On my usual survey of my patch at the Saxon Mill at Guys Cliffe I had begun to despair of anything interesting. It was cold and there seemed to be very little about. That was until a Water Rail emerged from the reeds. It wasnt very timid and I was able follow it for some 20-25 minutes as it moved downriver along the bank. I last saw a Rail there 2 years ago.

I also saw a dog Fox on the opposite bank the first I ve seen on the site in nearly 3 years.