Sunday November 27

A rather cold, cloudy day with a very light north-easterly breeze.

We initially spent quite a long time checking the hedgerows around Netherstead because there were a lot of passerines to look through. Most were thrushes, and we ended up with an estimate of 300 Redwings and 250 Fieldfares in the whole area. These figures were the best we could manage given that birds seemed to be arriving and departing all the time as they took advantage of the berry harvest. We may well have underestimated the true number.

Today was really all about numbers and not really species variety. We estimated 100 Woodpigeons, 150 Jackdaws, and 30 Rooks. Smaller birds included 60 Linnets, 30 Chaffinches, and about 20 buntings, with Reed Buntings slightly outnumbering Yellowhammers.

The flash field was a bit disappointing, containing only 45 nervy Teal and a Lapwing. At least 56 Greylag Geese were just visible on the ridge behind the furthest flash. An additional flock of Lapwings seen distantly as they flew over fields towards Studley was estimated at 136 by Dave, although my later photo-count came up with a figure of 108.

A pair of Stonechats is still present, and we also saw eight Lesser Redpolls, a Siskin, and a Grey Wagtail.

Grey Wagtail

I nearly forgot. The reason for the nervousness of the Teal, Woodpigeons, and thrushes was probably the continued presence of the adult Peregrine.