Friday, 18 December 2015

18th December - cloudy, dull again, mod SW, 13C

Three Cormorant flew past the village southward just after sunrise.

A local farmer wants to know whether the stewardship actions he has taken is attracting wildlife, so I shall make visits over the coming year to found out what's about, today was a recce on part of the farm.  On one winter wheat field there were c40 Fieldfare, c20 Redwings, c100 Starlings, 17+ Pied Wagtails and 5+ Chaffinches. A Kestrel was sitting on the telegraph wires looking for prey.

A Red-legged Partridge called from a grass field, two Bullfinch were in the boundary hedge, plus a Yellowhammer.  A Buzzard flew over the fields.  This limited visit produced 20 different bird species.

An afternoon visit was made to Pitsford reservoir particularly to see a Red- necked Grebe that has been there a few days.  I found it a little further out from the dam than often seen so photos were not possible, the light was awful anyway as you can see.  Great-crested and Little Grebes were also present, along with a variety of duck, although the numbers seemed low generally.  A Kestrel was hunting along the dam bank and pastures.



By the sailing club there was a good number of Goldfinch and Chaffinch with a few Greenfinch and a single Reed Bunting.

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