This month’s Bird Walk was enjoyed by 18 hardy souls braving a very cold but bright morning. We walked along the West Bank hoping to catch sight of a busy heronry which unfortunately, was devoid of bird life. Hedgerows and bushes were full of the usual suspects as we walked into Brackenfield and down Carr Lane dusted with snow. It was here we started seeing a few winter thrushes but numbers were low for all species.
Then the group went off road, heading up towards Top Farm. Although almost at the end of the walk it was here we had most enjoyment, provided by up to 6 Yellowhammers skipping across the hedgerows as well as a couple of Mistle Thrushes. Raptor wise we also caught a distant glimpse of a single Buzzard way back towards Brackenfield Church.
A beautiful stroll on a lovely morning but nothing over-exciting birdwise. We’ll try again on March 2nd.
Thanks to Wendy Dyson for compiling the list of species seen.
Cormorant, Great Black-backed Gull, Linnet, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Kestrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Blue Tit, Teal, Pheasant, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Grey Heron, Mallard, Lesser Redpoll, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Buzzard, Robin, Blackbird, Treecreeper, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Coal Tit, Starling, Wren, Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tit, Rook, Song Thrush, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare, Yellow Hammer, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Greylag Goose, Reed Bunting, Common Snipe, Canada Goose, Bullfinch. Two participants on the walk also observed a Peregrine hunting at great speed over the reservoir giving a total of 49.