1st Blog post: RSPB Arne (22nd) and the week that followed...

Just a quick introduction first, I have been meaning to make a proper blog for a long time and now reading the likes of Dante's and Howard's blogs regular they have inspired me and given the kick that I needed to do it...

​On Sunday the 22nd I was volunteering at RSPB Arne. I arrived to a stunning red glowing sun just peaking above through the mist. The tide was in and the scenery was set for a stunning day. In the morning I worked on the welcome hut watching the birds coming to and from the feeders, most notable species at this stage were the 3 Siskin busily going to and from the feeders, and the flock of at least 20 chaffinches running round under the feeders. It is always a pleasure to work on the Welcome hut meeting new people and getting to feel the vibe that they and the other RSPB volunteers give you. I was also in charge of the listings and until 11am the only bird seen on the Coombe Heath was a Woodpigeon...

​Next I decided to have some lunch. This was eaten in the volunteer area and a very friendly Robin rung a couple of years ago by Luke provided the entertainment.

After lunch I headed out with my walkie-talkie to Coombe Heath and it certainly paid off straight away this Meadow Pipit showing brilliantly.

Next to the viewing platform where there were 3 Spoonbill sitting at the furthest point possible down on Middlebere. There was also one lonely Avocet, about 20 teal and a similar amount of Curlew. oh and I almost forgot the plentiful Redshank. Dartford Warblers were calling and showing sporadically in the heather and gorse around me and in the end I saw 5. Then all went quite and a Merlin whizzed past and went low over the mud flats and then disappeared into some trees.
​Next I moved along to the Hide. Here I got good views of Rooks, Ravens over head, Crows, Jackdaw and Lapwings. The latter there weren't many of, because there where 2 foxes prowling around the field! Waders were present in small numbers and same with the ducks mentioned before.
​Just after I left the hide and walked down towards the next viewing point all of a sudden a huge noise erupted, nearly 1000 Brent Geese flew in to the field just in view. This was a stunning sight and one I remembered from my visit on New Years Day.
​From the viewing platform about 400 Avocet, 100 Oystercatchers, 20 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 30 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 40 Teal, and 20 Wigeon feed busily on the mudflats. A Little Egret also briefly joined them.

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(A small part of a much larger flock)

As I turned around to leave the viewing point I was confronted with this very dark male Pheasant.

Next I headed along the path to more Dartford Warblers calling from somewhere near by and then I turned a blind bend to find a heard of at least 40 Sika Deer and a stunning stag. They were about as shocked as I was.

Next I headed back to base where I was told to quickly get myself to the road that leads up to the farm because there were 2 Firecrest showing very well. Well when I got there I could see three Firecrest and 3 Goldcrest flying around the holly bush. I must have watched them for a good half an hour and the best bit was they were less then a ruler's length away from me. I unfortunately didn't get a photo of them, because they are just too fast.

I have also decided to include what happened on Tuesday. I was off School sick and so because I had a day to my self and couldn't really move without the risk of falling over, I decided to spend a whole day watching my garden wildlife. All the usual finches and tits were present. First the Stock Dove that has only just returned after a six month absence arrived. Then out the corner of my eyes I saw a paler thrush fly straight onto the garden fence. Black Throated thrush I thought and rushed off to get my camera (although after becoming dizzy), 10 minutes later I returned to find it had gone.
​In the afternoon I had my camera and binoculars at the ready and changed where I was sitting. at 15:55 I looked at the Redwing flock that had just landed at the tops of the trees and there was my Black Throated Thrush, a female, with a lightly black spotted stomach on a whitish back ground and a lightly streaked area on the throat. I got my camera up to take a photo of it however just as luck would have it the builders next door started drilling and it was gone. Bother!
​The next day I met Simon W by accident down behind the houses on Brent Way. I was down there looking for the Thrush and the Redwing Roost and he was there to see the Thrush. We spent about an hour chatting and saw 20 Redwing, a fieldfare and couple of Blackbirds. A paler thrush did come over at about 16:20 however it was impossible to tell if we had seen it given the bad lighting. At about 17:00 we decided to call it a day and headed for home.

This now brings me to today. On my way home from school I decided to stop of in some fields on my way to Finchley Central. I saw 4 Moorhen, 11 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, and 2 Blackbirds. I unfortunately didn't have time to look elsewhere for the thrush, but this weekend might be different. Tomorrow morning I will be out at the crack of dawn to look for the Thrush, and then will head onto my usual activities including the big Garden Bird watch and then on Sunday a trip to the farm and Totteridge Valley will occur...

I really hope you enjoyed this first blog post and if there is anything that I can improve on except the photography then please do tell me. Thank you and Enjoy!