It was quite a miserable day weather wise over the patch today - cloudy, overcast with drizzly showers. However, this didn't stop there being plenty of birdlife to see.
Shortly after arriving at the Butts/Back Lane triangle c.60 Skylarks flew over heading W. A ♀ Kestrel was perched in the dead tree next to the triangle and 9 Fieldfare also flew over heading W. In the stubble at the top of the triangle field were 2 Yellowhammers, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Dunnocks and a Robin. A Redwing and 2 Blackbirds were seen feeding in an adjacent Hawthorn.
Actually there was a general increase in the numbers of Blackbird around Shenstone today as our resident population is swollen by winter migrants. This was most noticeable on Stanklyn Lane where 7 Blackbirds were seen in the hedgerows next to the paddocks and a further 5 Blackbirds were feeding on the Hawthorns at redstart hedge. Also feeding in this hedge were 3 Fieldfares. 2 Green woodpeckers were in the paddocks. The beet field was almost devoid of birds with only a Wren and a single Dunnock seen.
What was really pleasing was the sight of the Yellowhammers starting to flock together at Heath Lane. A flock of 13 Yellowhammers were on the hedgerow at the model aircraft field.
The real highlight of today's rounds came at Witch Lane, where 2 Golden Plover were with the flock of Lapwings in the ploughed field. The flock had increased in size again up to 105 Lapwings. Also in this field were c.300 Starlings, c.200 Linnets and 57 Black-headed Gulls. 4 Fieldfares were in the trees at the back of the large seeded field.
In addition to the above, a drake Shoveller was present on Captains Pool today (TS).
A good amount of nice birds.
ReplyDeleteYes it was a good day yesterday...I still need my first patch Brambling of the winter though and Siskin & Redpoll too...fingers crossed wont be long.
ReplyDeleteGot the Siskin, Redpoll and a single Brambling this autumn Jase, I want a GOLDEN PLOVER!
ReplyDeleteWarren...I will swap you a Golden Polver for any of the above at the mo!
ReplyDelete