A busy Easter weekend meant little time for birding, but I did get the opportunity to take a walk around Primrosehill Wood near Kelsall, Cheshire.Surprisingly, the canopy of the woodland was absolutely buzzing with activity, with the larch trees in particular hosting very large flocks of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll – the biggest numbers of either species I have ever seen!
The birds were around the Harrow Hill area of the wood and their ranks also contained two Brambling – one a cracking summer plumaged male – and at least ten Crossbill too, although typically they were heard but not seen.
Lots of zilpzalps were singing from the young birch plantations that also included a half-hearted Yellowhammer too. These sections of the wood can be really profitable in spring for warblers, with the difficult to locate Garden Warbler normally in residence alongside the similar sounding Blackcaps.
Primerosehill Wood 4.4.10
400+ Siskin
300+ Lesser Redpoll
10 Crossbill
2 Brambling
6 Chiffchaff
4 Nuthatch
1 Yellowhammer
Until later.
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing count of Siskin and Lesser Reds,so much so that it prompted me to look back at my own records,right back to when I was a Lad.
And you've well and truly blown me out of the water on both of them.
My best ever count of Siskins in 1 Flock has been c200,and as for Lesser Reds,the best I can manage is a thoroughly miserable c100.
It sounds like a tremendous place to go,particularly during the Spring and Summer months,and I would be very grateful if you wouldn't mind giving me some directions on how to get there.
PEN-Y-FFRITH NATURE PARK
5-4-2010 11.15AM - 2.30PM
42 SPECIES RECORDED
CHAFFINCH c20
NUTHATCH 4
CHIFFCHAFF 3
LONG TAILED TIT 5
RAVEN 3
LESSER REDPOLL 2
SISKIN 6
RED BREASTED MERGANSER 2
MISTLE THRUSH 2
GOLDCREST 2
POCHARD 8
GOLDENEYE 4
COMMON CROSSBILL 2
TREECREEPER 3
COMMON BUZZARD 2
RUDDY DUCK 2
GADWALL 2
MEADOW PIPIT 1
COMMON SWALLOW 1
CHEERS DENZIL