A quick stop opposite Midley drying barns and a herd of 120 swans contained 2 Whoopers and at least 18 Bewick`s amongst the Mutes. Hundreds of Fieldfares and Redwings along the lane to the Cheyne Ct triangle where I had distant views of a single Waxwing perched atop a hawthorn with winter thrushes. At least 30 Tree Sparrows in the bushes opposite the farm, plus scores of Chaffinches and a Sparrowhawk over. Whilst gossipping with the locals about cameras at the triangle the 2nd winter male Hen Harrier showed well over the nearby oil-seed rape field. Common Buzzard and Kestrel noted on the drive back to the coast.
RSPB - 1500hrs - Another sortie out (while the garden fence posts were setting - I`ll never get that fence repaired at this rate!) to look for the Lesser Whitethroat found earlier by NB et al in front of the visitor centre drew a blank. However, was amply compensated by a showy Barn Owl hunting in the field by the bend on the access road. Barn Owls are a bit like Bitterns, in that it doesn't matter how long you`ve been birding they just cannot be ignored (for proper pics refer to Plodding Birder blog).
A quick look over the road revealed a small flock of Goldcrests on the track to Screen hide, a flyover Great White Egret, a redhead Smew and another Sparrowhawk.
Another decent couple of sessions in the field birdwise, and as always was good to meet up with a few weekend birders and have a natter.
No comments:
Post a Comment