First Walk around Manor Farm in November

No sooner had the calendar flipped over to November and the weather changed, there has been a distinct drop in temperature the last couple of days and today, although still, felt much more autumnal on my walk than normal, and I guess this was represented in the birds I saw and photographs I took, well they both felt autumnal, if not winter in the case of the birds where it all seemed to be about ducks and thrush flocks. Anyway for my first walk around Manor Farm in November (well since I claimed it back as my patch) it was a rather pleasant one.

First Walk around Manor Farm in November

The day started with me watching a number of large thrush flocks (large for the site) with groups of Mistle Thrush (one flock around 20 birds) Redwing (20+) Starling (37) and my first Fieldfare of the autumn (and for the patch) in various flocks ranging from a couple up to a flock around 50 birds in size, chacking their way merrily over my head, there seemed to have been a real inrush of the latter as it was by far the commonest thrush I saw all day.

I was also pleased to spot a few different types of fungus growing around the start of the patch, no idea on names but a few images below.

Fungi – Manor Farm, Milton Keynes

Toadstool – Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes

North Side of Manor Farm

I decided after not seeing anything of not in the Old Loch area to head along the North side of manor Farm, beside the river. And was quickly rewarded with my first Kingfisher of the day; and a Common Buzzard being bobbed at virtually the same time. But it was checking out caravan site lakes that I had my first shock of the day. With no less (in fact may well have been more) than 65 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the lake! I’ve only seen ones or twos before so this was a real surprise.

Further along beside the Millennium bridge I was treated to a very confiding Reed Bunting that allowed me a few photos; and after crossing the bridge and doing a little “pishing” I was surrounded by small birds. Mainly Long-tailed Tit but also Blue Tit; Great Tit; Chaffinch; Dunnock; and Goldcrest, it was wonderful to be part of.

Reed Bunting – Manor Farm, Milton Keynes

Reed Bunting – Manor Farm, Milton Keynes

Little Egret in flight – Manor Farm, Milton Keynes

Mute Swan – Manor Farm, Milton Keynes

West End and South Side

Continuing around the lakes I was gutted to miss the opportunity to take what may well have been one of my best photos as a stunningly yellow Great Tit was perched in some really drab grey and brown weeds. The camera snapped into focus just as the bird flew. But the bright colour in amongst the dull setting was stunning. The only other birds of note on the south side was a brief view of a Little Owl as it flew into some dense cover. After a while of searching I could not relocate it or find its landing place; and a single Green Sandpiper on the scrape.

Mallard (male) – Old Wolverton Canal, Milton Keynes

Finishing as I Started

I finished up photographing a few more types of fungi at the local park next to my hose, having come full circle for the day.

Brown and Purple Fungus – Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes

Ink Cap Mushroom (I think) – Wolverton Mill, Milton Keynes

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