As the end of the year approaches , I am desperate to try and add another species to the patch list .So I was out on Saturday to try and do just that. First bird up was a Green Woodpecker so a good start .A small flock of 5 Meadow Pipits around the cattle bough was nice and the Skylark flock numbered 33 plus .There were also 3 Red Legged Partridge in the vicinity.
Overhead 2 Buzzards and 3 Raven passed over as did a Cormorant heading downriver. The floodwaters held small numbers of Black Headed ,Herring, and Common Gulls. 3Stock dove were in the usual place and a fine male Bullfinch in one of the hedgerows was a nice find.
It was winter thrushes which gave the numbers with 80 plus Fieldfare and 40 plus Redwing on pasture and it was great to see a flock of 70 plus Lapwings pass over towards Ashleworth ham .
Sunday dawned very cold with a sharp frost and there did not seem as many birds around.
The 3 Raven are still around the area as were the Meadow Pipits but today only 3 seen. I heard the Green Woodpecker but did not see it today
The Skylarks were down to 24 today maybe the frost having moved a few on. Stock Doves were 5 .
The old Orchard held at least 120 plus Redwing along with 60 plus Fieldfare. The best sight however was a herd of 9Mute Swans flying over the floods into the sunrise ,just stunning !
