Friday March 17

An extra day's birding at Morton Bagot today due to an arrangement to take Richard B around the patch. After a few sunny intervals it was cloudy with a rather chilly westerly breeze.

We began by chatting to gamekeeper Will, who was anxious to tell us that various Larsson traps had been set up to reduce the number of crows, and to remind us of the illegality of removing the captors from them. There were apparently various camera traps set up because there has been an upsurge of local wildlife crime involving gangs of men with lurchers arriving at night for hare coursing and deer shooting. We nodded sagely and agreed it all sounded very unsavoury.

We skipped the Netherstead copse because of the lawnmower noise of the hired gardeners, and headed straight for the pool where I was pleased to find the first pair of Shelduck of the year.

Shelduck

About 20 Teal headed were flushed towards the flash field, and the Shelducks also slipped away without either of us noticing.

At the flashes all the waders were on the nearest flash, and comprised six Green Sandpipers, a pair of Redshank, a Snipe, and 14 Lapwings. At least 26 Teal were also present.

Redshank and Teal

A Chiffchaff sang briefly, but the cool weather and breeze was generally discouraging the small birds from singing. A flock of 50 Fieldfares and a few Redwings reminded us that winter is not far behind us.

On the walk back regular scanning for birds of prey paid off when I spotted a Red Kite drifting north. I manage to scope it, but it was too distant to get a photograph before we lost it behind the brow of the field. Other raptors seen were about 10 Common Buzzards. a Sparrowhawk, and a Kestrel.

A very satisfactory visit.