The female Firecrest again showing well in the Cemy.

Friday 17th November 2023.

The female Firecrest showed well in the north-east corner of the Cemetery.

I made the most of the sunny weather this morning because the rain is back again tomorrow (getting a bit pissed off with it now, especially on the weekends!!) and so I took the dogs out for another walk around Highland Road Cemetery. A healthy 21 species were recorded this morning on my walk round that included reasonable views of the female Firecrest again, though this time in bushes in the north-east corner of the Cemetery (see photos). A pair of Goldcrests were in the Oak tree also in the north-east corner and the female Green Woodpecker showed high up in one of the tallest trees in the centre of the Cemy.

Above, a lot of the leaves are now down with just a few scattered ones now left on the trees in the Cemy. Below, a Robin was trying to hide from my camera it seems.

Above, a male Blackbird enjoys feeding on the Holly Berries and below, a Collared Dove in the now bare branches of this tree.

Above, one of a pair of Goldcrests searching for insects in the large Oak tree and below, I just love the golden colours of the leaves in the bright sunshine.

Overhead, both Siskin, Goldfinch and a Meadow Pipit flew over, though none were actually seen and counted only as ‘heard only’ for today. Earlier today, on my first shift (which was a bit chilly, but at least it was dry), a surprise sighting of a Little Egret heading north over the rooftops was unexpected. Two large flocks of Wood Pigeons flew high over heading west, numbering at least 150+ birds with more trickling through lower down. The Jay was making excursions to and fro from the Holm Oak trees and occasionally on the leafless Sycamore trees. Another unusual sighting here was a probable Mute Swan flying very high heading east and at this time of year, one cannot rule out one of the ‘wild’ Swans, though I did not have binoculars with me at the time. Bugger!  

Above, the female Green Woodpecker was again seen today and below, the familiar sight of Wood Pigeons in the treetops.

Above, someone must have spent a small fortune by putting roses on many of the graves in the north-eas corner of the Cemetery. Below, the female Firecrest showing herself again. 

Above, the female Firecrest about to take flight and below, Toadstools are still abundant here this morning. A species of Melanoleuca toadstool; probably Common Cavalier Mushroom growing in the Cemetery today.

The birds recorded this morning in the Cemetery included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Goldcrest (pair)
• Firecrest (female)
• Green Woodpecker
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Robin 
• Wren
• Siskin
• Goldfinch
• Meadow Pipit
• Blackbird
• Song Thrush