Tuesday 14 September – Marshfield Leader: Chris Perry

Nine had faith that the vagaries of our venue would turn up trumps and despite the weather, it did.  Rook, Crow and Magpie were first to show and then a splendid Stonechat, with one then two Wheatear to follow.  A low flying Sparrowhawk caught someone’s attention, we all saw it eventually. Over at the farm (Culverslade), a Kestrel showed its displeasure by dive bombing a Buzzard that had taken over its roosting tree.  More Wheatear showed as we supped at 11:00 and the Linnet flocks were still haunting the power cables with the wires fairly weighted down with Starlings too.  As we dropped down towards Rushmead Farm a Whinchat was spotted with a Yellowhammer close by and, in a tangle of brambles over bushes, even more Yellowhammer showed really well. We were counting the Yellowhammer, when up popped a Blackcap (m), a Whitethroat, a Wren, some House Sparrow and one skulking Dunnock.  Sauntering back along the lane we heard a call from above, of a whistling, circling wader, possibly Golden Plover (couldn’t identify it positively even at home with the recordings)!  At the brow of the hill, the barn field encircled more than just horses – Pied Wagtail, many Meadow Pipit, more Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail – very nice.  By the time we reached the cars our total was 34 species with the count of Wheatear at ten.  Many thanks for leading Chris.  Nick Hawkridge