Bearded Tits and Chiffchaffs

Dengemarsh - 0900hrs - warm, dry and sunny - Mrs PT joined us this morning for a circuit of Dengemarsh in glorious autumnal sunshine, on one of Barney`s favourite walks. The bushes around the ARC car park were alive with tits, Robins, Chaffinches, Dunnocks, Wrens, Goldfinches,Tree Sparrows, two Blackcaps and above all Chiffchaffs, plundering the myriads of small flying insects. Across the road at Boulderwall the Cattle Egret showed well amongst the suckling herd at either end of our walk along with ten Bearded Tits in the first reedbed. At the Corral five Stonechats, three Wheatears, several Mipits and Reed buntings, Swallows and Skylarks overhead. The willow spinney by Badgers was full of Chiffchaffs, two Goldcrests, a Greater pecker and a small flock of Long-tailed tits. Out across the farm track towards Dengemarsh Road there were more showy Bearded Tits, Cetti`s Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Reed Buntings in the ditches with Mipits, Skylarks and Stock Doves on the newly drilled wheat fields. By the chicken sheds a Grey Wagtail was a surprise find amongst the Pieds while from Springfield Bridge thermalling/hunting/hovering raptors included eight Kestrels, five Marsh Harriers, three Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk. A Kingfisher, more Beardies, two Great White and three Little Egrets were noted around the lake, but the hayfields were empty apart from three Wheatears.
A very pleasant stroll during which we rattled up 69 species of birds with the highlights being the large numbers and good views of Beardies and Chiffs.

                                   Bearded Tit, Boulderwall

                                Cattle Egret, Boulderwall