Northycote Farm

Hi readers, my mate James suggested that we should go birding around Northycote farm. The site is mainly a country park but it is rich in bird life all around. Before walking around the site me and James decided to stop of in the Cafe my choice of breakfast was Bacon Sandwich, anyway back onto the birding after the cafe me and James had a good detailed look at the feeders which gave s a few good birds including Nuthatch and Coal Tit. After having a look at the feeders we then embarked on our walk around the country park, the site is interesting it consists of mainly woodland and fields and all this gives a lot of birds home and food.

Our first main sighting was a group of 5+ Siskin feeding on seeds on a tree, the majority were males so they were easier to identify, after seeing the Siskin we decided to walk closer to the brook area which gave us a few more good birds including Redwing and Treecreeper, after a nice walk along the brook we then began making our way back to the Cafe where in some woods we heard (but didn't see) a Song Thrush. We then returned to the cafe where I decided to have a Beef Burger and Chips I hope that Tesco had nothing to do with my burger seen as I may be eating someones trusty steed if they did.

After eating in the cafe we then decided to have one last look at the feeders before going home, this got us a few good birds including Redpoll (first for the year for me), and Great spotted Woodpecker. It was a nice days birding and I enjoyed the walk around here's our full sightings list,

Northycote Farm- Nuthatch x1, Robin 5+, Blue Tit 5+, Great Tit 5+, Dunnock 5+, Buzzard x3, Jackdaw x14, Chaffinch 5+, Coal Tit x1, Long tailed Tit 5+, Kestrel x1, Jay 2+, Goldcrest x1, Goldfinch 5+, Siskin 5+, Redwing 5+, Great Spotted Woodpecker x2, Treecreeper x1, Song Thrush (heard only)x1, Moorhen x1, Redpoll x1. 

Confusion of Redpolls- After doing a little bit of book and Internet research I have (at least for myself anyway) figured out the difference between Common and Lesser Redpoll, I have also found that Lesser Redpoll has been split from Common Redpoll as a species (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/lesserredpoll/index.aspx), this excited me because that would mean I can add another number to my Life list. The difference between them is the normal Redpoll has a Red patch on its forehead and on its chest and the Lesser Redpoll has a red patch on its forehead and brown streaks going down its chest. Today James told me the Redpoll we saw was lesser but it can't have been because it had a distinct red chest and no brown streaks.

I do now remember a time where I have seen Lesser Redpoll, it was last year when me and dad visited Chasewater, we noticed some birds on the sand there and they had brown streaks rather than a red chest, this means they must have been lesser Redpoll. This personal confusion does show I am still a young birder and I still have quite a bit to learn, but I enjoy the learning. Anyway there should be an update in the Weekend most likely Sunday evening if not earlier.

Also thank you to Jame's Grandad for driving us to and from Northycote Farm today.

Thanks for reading- WMBB