Well that was pretty impressive with at least 50 Chiffchaffs between Penns Wood and the south facing slopes at the cove. In the wood there were around 12, St Andrew's Church there was a good 15, the woods and east facing slope at the back of the cove there were at least 15 and on the south facing slopes I counted 6.
It wasn't just the Chiffchaffs I came across but also a male Blackcap at the back of the cove, a Goldcrest in the church grounds and 3 along the east facing slopes. The "usual" 3 Firecrests are still about with the 2 in Penns Wood and the other at the back of the cove.
Other birds of interest was a Goldfinch collecting nesting material, and I was really fortunate that I also managed to see where they are nesting this year, and as I was watching the Chiffchaffs in the church grounds a Sparrowhawk came screaming in, but failed to garb anything.
On the return leg to St Andrew's Church and Penns wood all the Chiffchaffs bar 6 had all moved north. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Here are a few images from today:
At the back and sourh facing slope at the cove there were a good 20+ Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and 3 Goldcrests.
St Andrew's Church and a good 15 or so Chiffchaffs Here.
A few singing.
And feeding on ants!!
Also about a couple of Firecrests
And the second bird at Penns wood.
Chiffchaffs feeding in amongst the Alexanders.
Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded: 1 Sparrowhawk, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 50 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Hoverflies Recorded: Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) and Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)
Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida) and Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 1 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
Note
It's amazing to think that on this day in 2018 it was snowing.
My Wakeham back garden on 18 Mar 18