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I was on holiday this week and the family and I spent the week at Center Parcs, smack bang in one of the forests in near Wiltshire. The holiday was designed for the kids rather than for Becky and me and I think they enjoyed themselves despite the place being bloody expensive. The weather, apart from consistent rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, was pretty good and quite warm and sunny at times. And so, being in a mixed coniferous and deciduous wood, the birding wasn’t bad and I notched up around 7 month ticks during our stay.
Bird of the week, undoubtedly, were the Common Crossbills, which showed virtually everyday around the chalet with up to four birds being present at times high up upon the conifers. Their distinctive calls could clearly be heard when I sat by the patio window drinking my early morning cup of tea as well as the many Siskin’s present. Flocks of Siskin’s were seen all around the chalet and a nice juicy male was seen feeding on the nutfeeders from the Bird Hide within the woodland. A single Nuthatch was seen near the Sports Centre briefly, flying over the footpath, which was another month tick.
As well as the birdlife, several Roe Deer were seen while the local Squirrels were unbelievably tame with them feeding out of Russell’s hand at times! Even a rat came along to pick off some nuts thrown out for the birds! A couple of Emperor Dragonflies were seen several times throughout the week too. Friday, on the way back home, a reported Great Knot was seen in Fife, however, the bird was misidentified and turned out to be just a Knot. Phew!
