Only one place for me and Dave to be this morning and that was the valley starting at the Southam Road owl field but we failed to get a sniff so joined by Colin we moved on to Grandborough at first light to enjoy the Great Grey Shrike for an hour in its usual place along joined by Martin and Jeff. On arrival we had 2 Barn Owl then found the Great Grey in the tall hedge and it appeared to be feeding from a larder although the prey item could not be determined. While enjoying the GGS we had both male and female Merlin taking a keen interest in the 600+ Linnet while at the back of the field there were 8 Tree Sparrows, also seen were 7 Hares, 3 Foxes and a Stoat.
By the time we left the wind chill ruled out grapefruit for breakfast so it was off to the Diner at Long Itchington for a proper birders breakfast enjoying 10 Long-tailed Tits in the hedgerow across the road.
We felt Brandon Marsh would be pointless as the big freeze continues so checked on the pond managing 2 male Red-crested Pochard, female Common Scoter, one Great-northern Diver, 8 Long-tailed Tit, Great-spotted Woodpecker and well over a 100 Pochard. The visit was marred by heavy snow showers so we moved on to Rookery Hall Farm on Lawford Heath and the place was cooking on gas with 16 Tree Sparrow, 12 Yellowhammer and 4 Corn bunting among the 100+ Chaffinch and 200+ Starling, another Fox and a Buzzard ended the mornings jaunt. Bumbling Bears had a Merlin here
Many thanks for those who sent me there sightings while in the valley and species seen by others were Little Owl and Stonechat along Hill Rd, 2 Raven and Sparrowhawk at the GGS site and the ringtail Hen Harrier crossed the A45 near the prison at 15:10pm. Dave thought he had it over the ridge of Beck Hill this morning being mobbed but alas it never showed again.
Richard
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment