A dry morning at least with a brisk wind, I walked from home to the Furnace Pond and back. The additional rain we've had over the last few days has heightened the feel of heading towards bleak midwinter, there are a few trees hanging on to the final leaves but most now have dropped, the paths are a thick mud pie consistency and enough places that wellies-only is an essential clothing requirement.
I will go out of the back door round first light most mornings to top up the bird feeders, feed the chickens and say hello to the sheep and there is often a feel as to whether the day is a birdy day or not, based on the first bits of activity with the number of birds flying around. Today did not feel particularly birdy and this was born out on my walk.
2 Sparrowhawks were seen down the lane and the close fields had 6 Meadow Pipit and 5 Pied Wagtail. I encountered 30+ Redwing and 8 Fieldfare, a flock of 21 Lesser Redpoll and a smaller flock of Siskin. The Furnace pond was quieter with 10 Mandarin, 2 Cormorant and a Grey Heron, but generally there was less to be seen than previous days.
Lock-down list remains on 76.
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| Adult female Sparrowhawk |
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| Plenty of finches to chose from for breakfast |
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Always a great view in the morning from the lane looking to Woolbeeding ridge
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| The woodland streams are fairly full |
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| A ride surrounded by overgrown scrubby under-storey |
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| The large arable field with a Winter Wheat crop and no birds |
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