Fog and traffic contributed to a rather late start for 21 walkers, but at least by then it was into bright sunshine and a light wind. The Jackdaws eponymous call was around us for most of the walk but along Roach’s Lane there was no sign of any winter thrushes. The calls of Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, and the flight call of Greenfinch were heard, also many Skylark travelled overhead for most of the walk. Although a beautiful sunny day, it was chilly when shaded, so we had coffee on the East side of Seven Mile Plantations and stuck to the path outside the wood to keep warm. Many Skylark could be seen either going over eastward or playing chase along the hedgerows, when someone called ‘Swallow – just flew across my bins’. One of the species much in evidence was Blackbird. Every bush, hedge and tree seemed to contain 2 or 3 feeding on nature’s supplies. We debated the route by the grass airstrip, ending up along its edge and were rewarded with the sight of a bright yellow male Yellowhammer. Not much further on, a Red Kite was spotted over the trees. It came closer and closer eventually passing right over our heads and a fine photo was taken. A Buzzard flew close to the Kite and both were harassed by corvids. We moved on past flocks of Meadow Pipit and Linnet but, alas, the Little Owl, who so often frequents the estate gatehouse area, was missing. Our first Redwing of the day was seen and at the pond, a lone Shelduck, some Canada Geese and Cormorant completed the count of 32. (Thanks for leading, Nick)
Nick Hawkridge
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