Author: P

Roger, Mark, Angela, Val and Ezio joined me on the Area 2 walk this morning. We clocked up an impressive 37 species. Val had to turn back at the half way point and missed three of our highlights! Two Egyptian Geese sitting on the fence by the Morley Farm pond, a stunning Red Kite perched in a dead tree bathed in bright sunlight and a Stonechat as we approached Wantley. We had already got good views of Goldcrest, noisy Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Overall we saw over 20 Song Thrushes plus Redwing and Mistle Thrush. Dunnock were singing everywhere along Furners Lane and Blue Tits proliferated. A lovely dry morning as well!

Nigel Colgate, 14th January 2025

As we have done for the past 20 years or more, Nige C, Nigel P, Will and I saddled up for the SOS New Year Bird Race this morning.  Meeting at 8 at the Downslink and heading down to Woods Mill for part 1.  In and around Woods Mill we clocked up 36 different species, including obliging Water Rail,

Coal Tit and Reed Bunting at the feeders where we all heard (but didn’t see) a Bullfinch, a Sparrowhawk which dashed through the undergrowth, and a Snipe in the meadow – just as well as we didn’t record any of these again! Break for coffee and a chat with Mike followed.

Along the millstream we found the only Stonechat of the day, all 3 “regular” geese and a non-counting Black Swan. Surprisingly, not a Skylark or Meadow Pipit here – or anywhere else. When we reached the Downslink we went south as far as Stretham, where Will spotted something black & white in the river – our first ever Bird Race Goosander! A Red Kite perched in a tree to the west caused us a few id problems as we hoped it was something rarer!  Nigel P scanned the fields and found a Peregrine on the ground, there were all the expected ducks (bar Gadwall) on the water, plenty of Lapwings and a lovely group of Golden Plover went over. We were still short of thrushes (only Blackbird & Song Thrush by now), but Fieldfares were doing some skating across the ice nearby. A Goldcrest proved difficult for all to see, but we did in the end, but still no Great Spot.  Nige said there was one near Eddie’s on Thursday, so we walked the field below South View Terrace, and two of us heard one drumming (has to be 3 for the species to count!), but we added Redwings and Mistle Thrush which were further over by Grinstead Lane.\

We had our sandwiches at mine just after 2, then had to decide whether to head up to Betley for an uncertain Barn Owl or to go down to Rye Farm for a probable Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail. We went for the more certain, and indeed found both, then a group of Linnets in the top of a tree, some Gadwall on the floods near Buckwish, and at last, a Great Spotted Woodpecker called, Nige heard it so it counted!

66 different species were seen which brings our all time total up to 95, and is only 1 short of our record score of 67 – though that must predate my record sheet, as it’s just a number in my memory!

Val Bentley et al, 13th January 2025

This cold snap has seen the garden getting a bit more active this week. Today we’ve had 4 Reed Buntings and 3 Chaffinches enjoying the seed I put on the ground for them, a party of 10 Long-tailed Tits popped in while a Coat Tit has dashed in a number of times to pick up a seed and dash back to the bushes. A male Blackcap has visited a few times this morning and it’s worth keeping an eye out for this species as they tend to visit gardens more in the second half of winter. Still a bit quiet on the Goldfinch and Greenfinch front but we’ve been down to Rye Farm a few times recently and there’s been a big ‘charm’ of 50+ Goldfinches around which is not far from us so perhaps they are getting enough natural food down there and don’t feel the need yet to visit us.

Mike Russell, 9th January 2025

Lesley and I went down late this afternoon and saw the Siberian Chiffchaff but no Water Rail. What was interesting was to see a mixed group of about 30 Chaffinches and Goldfinches feeding on the mud at the edge of the flood water. Also we were there to watch the Starling murmuration more or less over our heads, at least up to 1,000 birds that eventually dived into a bamboo clump behind the trees opposite Stinky Pond. A lovely sight and sound.

Mike Russell, 6th January 2025

Had good views of Siberian Chiffchaff and a Water Rail at Stinky Ponds today. Wigeon. Teal, Pintail, and Mallard on the floods and a couple of Egyptian Geese. Cormorants chuntering to each other in heronry.

Nigel Colgate, 6th January 2025

…was spotted flying west to east over the tennis courts by the Leisure Centre around 11.30 this morning.

Jane English, 4th January 2025

Also seen at 8.35am on a roof at Foxfield Cottages

Jo & Chris Burchell-Collins 

Nice walk with Ezio over to Bilsborough this morning. Highlight was seeing a Mistle Thrush in the field between Furners Lane & Swains.

Val Bentley, 4th January 2025

The Siberian Chiffchaff is still present on the large pool alongside the Rye Farm track. Giving good views and seeming to prefer the scrub at the back of the pond. Also there were at least two regular Chiffchaffs, a Grey Wagtail and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Paul Cole, 2nd January 2025

We didn’t manage to find the Siberian Chiffchaff by the stinky ponds on Saturday, only three Common Chiffchaffs.  Though Bernie Forbes has been up here again and seen it! The water had pretty well gone from between Rye & Buckwish Farms, though we saw a Grey Heron and a Little Egret on the far side plus a few Mallards.

On Monday there was  a Mistle Thrush singing just north of Wills, and Redwings chooking away in the alder wood. Tuesday brought a nice flock of Goldfinches by the barns near Swains and more Redwings calling in the woods on the Common.

Today’s rain should bring the wildfowl back to the brooks!

Val Bentley, 1st January 2025