Friday 4th December

A long-awaited walk into work this morning, with no rain or wind to contend with. Peering over the wall to the orchards, opposite the pedestrian crossing on the A26 East Barming I quickly racked up 10 species, including 10+ Redwing, 15 Fieldfare, Green Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk...not bad sightings just off a main road! The rest of the route was alive with birds again; Bullfinches (by Pea Field), GS Woodpecker (opposite Heath Road) and a noticeable increase in Redwing numbers, with birds being seen in two new locations for the winter, and five individuals being picked out feeding in a single tree halfway up North Street. Seven Stock Doves were an unexpected addition, sitting out with the Crows by Gallagher's Gallop. The Little Owl was the last tick of the morning, huddled in it's usual spot in Kiln Barn Farm Cattle shed. Twenty-four species in total, but lacking regulars such as Jay, Pied Wagtail and both Goldfinches and Greenfinches.

Checking the plots mid-morning I was glad to see a Kestrel hunting over the west side of the site, and nine Skylarks and a Pied Wagtail took to the air as I walked down one of the strawed alleyways. The sun was still shining at lunchtime so I did a quick sortie over to Ditton Court Quarry. More Redwings, accompanied by too many Blackbirds to keep tabs on, were feeding on the ground, but were extremley shy and flighty. Eight Lesser Redpolls were still feeding on the Alder trees with the charm of Goldfinches.