Highlights of the cycle in this morning (Barming to East Malling Research via Oaken Wood): 2x Jay, GS Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Bullfinch, 2x Green Woodpecker, Little Owl, 2x Kestrel and 15x Lesser Redpoll. Not bad for 15 minutes!
I spent my lunch hour studying the Reed Buntings on the Miscanthus plot on the Research station. They're such a rare visitor on patch I thought I'd make the most of them. Their numbers had doubled from yesterday's estimate, I reckoned on 26+ today but they were so in erratic in flight, twisting and looping and then quickly dropping down to the ground that I couldn't keep count. I only managed the count of 26 by scanning the birds that had dropped down on top of a windbreak.
A couple of Yellowhammers were also in with them, easily picked out by their bright yellow heads. Miscanthus must really be a home from home for these birds, but with very little in the way of seed heads I can't see what they're sustaining themselves on?
Josie and Kieron, thanks for your comments, I've replied to you, see comments at the end of the 30th January and 8th February posts respectively. Kieron keep up the good work with the blog, let me have any records you've got from Offham between November-now and I can enter them on the BTO Atlas website to fill in some of those gaps!
2 comments:
A much overlooked bird I think, some nice shots of them.
Hi Adam, some really nice shots here mate. With a rare visit on your patch like this, its no wonder you spent some time observing them.
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