Friday March 4 - Filling the gap

 It is generally understood that there is a starvation gap for seed-eating birds at the end of winter. The same might be said for birders. Where the birds are concerned a solution can be supplementary feeding by concerned nature-lovers. In my case the question is how to fill the gap in my year-list once I've run out of wintering birds and am waiting for the summer migrants to trickle in.

After changing my mind several times this week, I decided my best bet was to go back down to the Coldcomfort Wood/Alcester Heath area. In years gone by I might have hoped for a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or a Curlew. These are both classic March/April birds which are now spiralling to oblivion locally.

It was chilly, and a bit grey. Not much chance of an early butterfly to break the winter blues. However, the day was brightened by the sound of a singing Yellowhammer. The fields along Coldcomfort Lane were largely stubble, so they should be good for that hunger gap. Indeed there must have been some sustenance available because I added small flocks of Linnets and Chaffinches, and one or two more Yellowhammers.

Yellowhammer

At the end of the lane lives a chap with the right idea. A well-stocked feeder on the edge of the wood, opposite his house, was alive with Tits, Nuthatches, Chaffinches etc. I paused for several minutes to watch the action. Several Coal Tits and Marsh Tits joined the fray, and eventually so did one of at least four Great Spotted Woodpeckers present in the adjacent wood. But no small cousin turned up. 

I ventured into the wood (very muddy), and listened in vain for any "quee quee quee" calls or longer than usual drumming. The wood and its neighbours form part of the Ragley estate and there are numerous signs warning you not to leave the footpath. At the far end of the wood was a large flock of Fieldfares, Redwings, and Starlings. A Raven croaked in the distance. The temptation to stray was enormous, and might have been irresistible if the right woodpecker had perked up, but none did. Perhaps they've gone from here too.

So no happy ending this time. I do, however, have some Morton Bagot news. The ringers have been active, with a little night-time adventure bagging them a Woodcock. 

Woodcock per Tony Kelly

What a stunning bird.