Saturday 22 January – Marshfield Leader: Sue Kempson

26 intrepid birders met at Tanners Close for this morning only meeting. For Marshfield the conditions were good
with a temperature of two degrees, clear sky and no wind. Following the usual route down the track and over the
fields we saw and heard Skylarks, with a few Yellowhammers around the paddock and Stonechat on the fence.
There were plentiful numbers of Fieldfares with the odd Redwing over the adjacent fields. A Buzzard perched
nearby and did attempt to hunt a Fieldfare unsuccessfully. A large flock of Skylarks flew over the stubble and
landed disappearing into the stalks. At Rushmead Lane we had good views of a dozen Corn Buntings resting in
the top of a tree with a single Yellowhammer. A Kestrel was perched on the barn as we passed. A pair of Red –
legged Partridges were surprisingly tolerant of our presence and we had distant views of a large mixed flock of
mainly Yellowhammers, with some Linnets, Corn Buntings and Chaffinches. Probably the most memorable aspect
of the morning was the sheer abundance of Fieldfares. In all 26 species were seen. Thanks to Alan Daniells for
the list of species. (Thanks to Sue for leading) Sue Kempson