My garden is possibly going to have the most documented birds in town!
As walking is part of the recovery process i'll be able to get out locally in time so hopefully i'll be able to cover the local parks and eventually the urban woodlands too. I've considered doing the patchwork challenge i've seen others do - details here - and this may be the perfect time to start. Granted my patch is not going to produce huge numbers but at least it's something that will help keep me occupied (sitting still and not doing anything is not something i'm good at!)
Where I live has parks and my own garden has its good moments.There isn't a huge variety of species here but I figure if I included the woodlands that'll broaden the number of species I could see.
I've figured out a patch that covers my area including three parks in town, my walk to work and the urban woodland/beck. It comes in at just under 3km²
It took a bit of fiddling but it does just cover everything. The three parks are varied, the one close to home is the smallest with the least amount of species (or the not so nice park as we call it!), the park in the centre of town is ok, it has a few little paths and hidden away areas and it has in the past produced my first (of only two) ever views of Waxwings! The third park is the best one for a walk and for the birds and is good for Redwings/Fieldfares in winter.
It's going to be a tough few months and blogging will probably be sparse but at least i'll be able to keep up with everyone else's easily enough so that's something!
It's going to be a tough few months and blogging will probably be sparse but at least i'll be able to keep up with everyone else's easily enough so that's something!
Sending you lots of good wishes for your surgery and recovery Pam. It sounds like the perfect idea to use the time to do some patch birding as you become more mobile and I look forward to reading about your sightings. Here's hoping for a "waxwing winter" and I hope you get lots of good species in your garden :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I've been given a bit of a reprieve after my op was postponed till the 7th so I may get to enjoy a little more of the outdoors for a bit! Waxwings would be great, i've seen they've already been arriving! :)
DeleteWish you well and a speedy recovery. What a great idea to get you out side, me and Ragged Robin are having a go at watercolour painting as well as making a nature journalling. Just simple drawings and notes from the day out, you can add leaves or any thing that reminds you of the day. You could do this to help keep you occupied if you can't get out.
ReplyDeleteWill have a look at the bird patch idea. Have had the most wonderful morning at Eccup bird watching. Many farm land birds in the hedges, one of the fields has a large flock of Golden Plovers and Lapwings,they will over winter here so if you get chance have a look, nice flat road to walk on if you park just past the farm.
Love the new header photo.
Amanda xx
Thanks Amanda :) my op's been delayed till the 7th so i've got a little longer than I thought! That's a good idea, my artist skills are a little lacking but I do like the idea of the drawings in my journal, I think even my limited skills could manage that :)
DeleteEccup sounds lovely, I haven't been in ages, I may get over there at some point i've only seen Golden Plovers once and from a distance so i'd love to be able to see those. xxx
Got in touch with Peter from the Patchwork challenge, said to start in Jan 2017, which is a good idea. Start of the birding year, will give me the incentive to get out during the winter months. Might take me that long to work out how to measure my patch!
DeleteMoved to the 7th! you will have to make the most of the Autumn sunshine.
Amanda xx
Oh yes, there's not really much point in doing it officially till the start of the new year. Haha yes the map tool is quite fiddly, I took several attempts before I got the map measured out right!! xx
DeleteYou can see some of the Eccup birds here, like most things my lists need up-dating. http://eccuplist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/on-this-day-monday-24-october.html
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
It's great that you have a plan to enjoy nature still during your recovery - I'm sure that'll help a great deal! Wishing you well for the surgery, hope it all goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise :)
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