November 2019

Three different Blackcaps came into my garden this month. The last time one appeared in the garden was at the beginning of the year. A Male Blackcap came in and was feeding on the peanut butter jar. It was only around for a few days but then a female Blackcap came in. It was around for what I thought was ten days but when I looked at my photos I found that the first female had a ring on its leg and later there was one without a ring. So I think it was only a few days that the first female came in and then another one came in later. I was able to get some information from the ring by looking at the photos but not completely. However, it was enough to find out that this Blackcap had been ringed earlier this year in France and now it was in my garden! These little birds continue to amaze me and it is wonderful to find out something about their journey here.

There were hundreds of Fieldfares and Redwings in the area this month. At the Enterprise Park, there were hundreds on the trees and it was difficult to get a sense of how many there were in a photograph but I did manage to get a photo of a small group on a tree at the same time. I also had some in my garden too eating the apples. I was happy to see the Goldcrest, the Wren and the Long-tailed Tits still coming back in. Unfortunately, a Sparrowhawk was also making an appearance. It was hard to photograph but I did manage a shot through the window. I was not aware at any point of it being successful chasing the birds.

At Hopeman, on one of the days, I saw a small group of Sanderlings at the water’s edge. Inland there was a group of Red-legged Partridges in a field near Dulsie Bridge.