At the northern perimeter of Oaken Wood I quickly picked out Redpoll flock, again about 40 birds, but as ever difficult to get onto apart from in flight. At least one bird had found the feeders I set up on Saturday, a Robin looking very seasonal in the white stuff, but hopefully others will follow.
Carrion Crows were still on the pasture in the middle of Gallagher's Gallop, along with Stock Doves who's numbers had swelled to a record 45 birds. A couple more Pied Wagtails were feeding at the feet of cattle.
I checked the orchards on the research for Waxwings, alas none, but reasonable numbers of Fieldfare and Starlings with a few Redwings flying around.
Fieldfare fodder - although it was mainly Starlings sitting out on the lines in the background.
At lunchtime I checked the orchards again, concentrating on Village Fields/Genebank at the back of the church in East Malling. Again lots of Fieldfares, Goldfinches and 5+ Redwing in the churchyard along with 2x Mistle Thrushes and a GS Woodpecker. Walking south along the footpath to railway crossing I picked out a flock of Long-tailed Tits that had three Goldcrests in tow, but lacking the much needed Firecrest or Chiffchaff that I need for the winter tetrad. The snow really started to come down now!
Taking in a long route up Rocks and Luckhurst Farm and back via Oaken Wood I failed to add anything new to the day list although I got good views of 15 or so Lesser Redpolls and also the Stock Doves in flight. A couple of Cormorants also flew north over.
Back at the research more Fieldfares, but I reckon the winter thrush numbers are still fairly modest by East Malling standards, maybe 300+ Fieldfare and 100+ Redwing.
Stock Doves en masse
1 comment:
Hi Adam
It takes more than a bit of snow to keep hardy people like you away from work, doesn't it :-)
Well done on finding the Redpols again, and that's a great number of winter Thrushes. I hope to read soon that you have found a/some Waxwings. Good hunting.
Post a Comment