The morning started cloudy and fairly calm, but after the first hour showers swept in and the wind increased to a strong north-westerly. At least there were some sunny spells.
Dave joined me and we headed for the flash field where I was not altogether surprised to find that the Oystercatcher had gone. In its place were eight Lapwings, one Shelduck, and two Little Egrets. Something spooked the wildfowl and in an instant the Teal numbers doubled to reached 32 birds.
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| Little Egrets |
We eventually had to conclude that nothing else would turn up, although a singing Marsh Tit and its accompanying Great Tit in the hedge provided some distraction.
Fortunately we decided it would be worth heading to the south end. The hedge bordering the new horse paddocks sheltered a Kestrel which was keeping its eye on a flock of 27 Pied Wagtails, a few Meadow Pipits, and numerous thrushes feeding around the grazing horses.
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| Kestrel |
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| Pied Wagtails |
The thrushes were a mix of Redwings and Fieldfares, one of which (a Redwing) was singing. A large flock of finches was also sheltering from the wind, and we estimated 200 Linnets, 12 Chaffinches, a Lesser Redpoll, and a few Reed Buntings.
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| Linnets |
So, typical of early March, it felt as though winter was fighting back.
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