Slower than I anticipated but...

Red Kites circling at Harewood

So this winter hitlist thing so far hit a stumbling block. In fact so has any kind of bird watching as a whole. My final year of university and all the work that goes with it means that I'm busy Monday to Friday and Sunday as well. Saturday I go to volunteer at Harewood, which is so far my only link to the natural world...

But alas last weekend the cycle was broken! I returned back home for the weekend and went on a bird walk around the National Trusts Clumber Park with my local group. The forecast was Crossbill with an outside chance of Great Grey Shrike that looks to be wintering around the Sherwood area and was seen a few days previously.

We saw some Crossbills and got absolutely cracking views of a red male using his bill to pries open cones. Superb.

And of course, no Great Grey Shrike. That space on my life list remains empty...

However one was filled on that day...

Colin the Crow's latest escape attempt...

As we walked through the woods it became apparent there was a large gathering of birds flitting round a Beech tree (the experienced birders might have already guessed where this is going). When we were able to get a view it turned out there must have been 20+ BRAMBLINGS in the tree!

Now I don't remember whether I've explained this before but technically I have seen a Brambling, but I didn't see it. What I mean is that I had a silhouette of a small Chaffinch sized bird fly over my head and a very experienced birder telling me it was a Brambling by the fork in its tail. However this time I actually saw a Brambling, lots of them! In glorious colour and everything! So I can now put them down on my list without any feeling of guilt. Marvelous.

Finally, in true blog style... I have no pictures of any of this... I really need a good camera.

Not something you often associate with Leeds...  Beauty.

Redwing... Check

Gorgeous.

So its been a week since I laid down the gauntlet to myself and have completed my first tick off the list.

Why you should never believe the rule...

It was during a tumultuous autumn Sunday at Harewood House, that went from driving storm conditions to picturesque dancing golden rays. It was during one of these stunning sunlit moments that I was watching a flock of Redwings darting between two Yew Trees as the sun glanced off their red underwings. It was a veritable pick and mix of thrushes, with Blackbirds, Song Thrush and the odd rattling Mistle Thrush in amongst the Yew branches... but alas, no Fieldfares. Probably still a little early to be coming across those commonly.

Now, something else that I noticed on my ways to University was a group of 6 Carrion Crows feeding in Leeds' Hyde Park with a couple of Magpies. This reminded me of the rule that I've often discussed with, usually more novice, bird watchers regarding the difference between Rooks and Carrion Crows. The rule goes; "If you see a group together they are Rooks, whilst one on its own will be a Crow." This picture certainly goes to prove that false! Although this may be an exception, I am still not a fan of the rule in general as family groups and winter gatherings of crows can make it incorrect. Its much better to learn to recognise the more dagger pointed grey beak and face of the Rook compared to the black all over, sleeker Carrion Crow.


I'll leave the this post on two pictures that sum up this time of year in a human and natural way. One from the fireworks at Roundhay Park bonfire and the other (no less spectacular) of autumnal fungi. Here's hoping for a great winter!