Saturday 28 January 2023 – Marshfield Leader: Sue and Nigel Kempson

Shortly after leaving Tanners Lane, our attention was drawn to a string of birds on telegraph wires. Scope views confirmed them as a mix of Starlings and Corn Buntings. A small flock of Common Gulls flew past, and a Stonechat was found perched on a stone wall. The horses’ field held a good number of Fieldfare (we counted over 125 during the course of our walk). A pair of Yellowhammers and several more Corn Buntings were found in the hedgerows and some Skylark flew overhead. Looking across the valley over Rushmead Lane, two perched raptors were seen simultaneously. The first was a female Kestrel on a wire (rather distant), the second was a splendid Red Kite sitting on a post. A flock of 250 Lapwings was also seen flying over the fields.Rushmead Lane was initially disappointing although a pair of Red-legged Partridge was spotted at the far side of the field. Walking to the end of the road, we identified a Stock Dove and a flock of finches (probably Linnets) together with more Yellowhammers. The walk back along the road was relatively uneventful although we enjoyed the sight of four Roe Deer across the valley and three Buzzards wheeling overhead. 34 species seen. Thanks to Sue and Nigel for leading Peter Bryant