Now that we're in November it's time for me to explore other areas of my Circle. I've covered about 60% of the square kilometres over the last two winters. The vast majority of the Circle is in SP06, SP16, SP07, and SP17. The land to the west, SO97 and SO96 has hardly had a look-in.
Today I made my first visit to the four squares in SO97. That is Broad Green/Tutnall to Blackwell Golf Course. I have to admit that viewed on the map it didn't look particularly appealing, but you won't know if you don't go.
As it turned out it was a little tame. But so long as you lower your expectations a good day can still be achieved. For example Jays were quite easy to find, and for once one was close enough for a photograph.
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| Jay |
My one noteworthy sighting came as I headed south along Agmore Lane. I noticed two or three Buzzards standing in a ploughed field, and then a couple more. Two of them were standing over a corpse of a Rabbit and were pulling it apart. I then noticed more Buzzards in and around the field and came up with a grand total of 10. Unfortunately, I only managed to get a shot of one of them actually feeding.
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| Buzzard tucking in |
I'll leave you with one other thought. The Holly is full of berries and it just so happens that it looks like being a Waxwing winter.
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| A berry-laden Holly |
It's all to play for.
It is quite quiet around that area. It's on my route from Barnt Green to home, both now and when I lived in Redditch. Apart from a Red Kite along Wheeley Road just past the junction with Blackwell Road & Barn Owl a couple of times where Blackwell Road turns left not much noted in the last 15 years! Oh, also had a stunned Red-legged Partridge sat on the road, presumably just been hit by a car. Yellowhammers in the dim and distant past.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, yes I don't think I'll rush back, although I did enjoy the Buzzard field. Thanks for sharing your past experiences there.
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