Sunday 27th November 2011 - Shenstone

After all the excitement of the Desert Wheatear...I decided it was time to get back to the important business of birding the patch.

I arrived at Stanklyn Lane mid-afternoon and started scanning the paddocks.  The paddock to the right of 'redstart hedge' was alive with birds.  I counted 38 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare and 2 Green Woodpeckers all feeding on the short grass.  In the hedge itself was a flock of 13 Corn Buntings, but they were fairly mobile and flew over the lane towards the rear of the 'gallops field'.  This was the first sign this Autumn that the local breeding population of Corn Buntings were starting to flock together. 

I then headed up to Heath Lane which was unusually quiet.  The only bird of note was a single Mistle Thrush perched on the fence at the paddocks.

At Witch Lane I noted 19 Fieldfares, 3 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk.  Whilst walking the lane 3 Cormorants flew over heading West.  2 Jays were noted in the trees next to the public footpath.

All in all it was really enjoyable catching a couple of hours...although still no sign of that patch Short-earded Owl I was hoping for...ah well one can dream!