Another Possible Raven from the front window, on Wed am. looking over towards Rownhams (where one was seen the previous day!), the bird was at a terrible angle for identification, and very distant therefore no real pointer to its size, but he did have a very prominant "beard", and very long tail. One of these days I'll see him flying in a slightly more northern direction, and will nail him for certain!
Also one reported slightly north of the House, so I am literally surrounded by them at the moment!
Visited Crampmoor Fishponds as they look great on live local.. Unfortunately, the adjacent footpath didn't offer much of a view, and the pools in view didn't look very promising. May be worth an evening trip later in the year to listen for Warblers etc, and see if many bats are in the area.
Sadly many of my local haunts through the winter are just about finished for the year now: The luxborough lane flooded field has dried out, and the pheasant covers on Hoe lane are empty and birdless.
Also my woodland feeder got nabbed the day I went to take it down for the year, presumably by a Squirrel for dissection at his leisure!
Saturday, I had the whole day to myself, so hit Danebury Down at dawn.
Fairly hard work, and the lack of Summer migrants in the UK at the moment was a theme throughout the day. Did see 130 Fieldfares and a few Redwings. The Fieldfares were in a large stony field, the Redwings in small bushes at the top of the fort. Not much else about: a few Yellowhammers, a Linnet, Pied Wagtail, and several Stock Doves. Also about 5 Chiff Chaffs singing.
Headed to Stockbridge Marsh where there is a large lake on Live Local.. Again the lake was out of bounds to the public, and there was no way I could get anywhere near the shore. A lot of Chiff Chaffs here, and a Cetti's Warbler singing was compensation.
Called in at Casbrook where there is a large open lake, again fenced off! but this one you can at least see the water, something of a rarity in this part of the country. 2 Sand Martins were the first for the year for me.
Stopped off at nearby Timsbury, and scanned the flooded fields. No sign of the Garganey present here. Several Lapwings, and a few Coot was all I could manage. Skidmore, near the village of Lee was the highlight of the day. The flooded field here had 2 Little Ringed Plover on the bank. Wonder if this little pool is going to be worth visiting until it presumably dries up later in the year! Certainly a very early morning visit would be worth while as I suspect any larger waders would fly as soon as the walkers/horse riders and cyclists pass by on the bridleway. The 2 LRPs however, were unfazed by the passers by. Also met one of the local birders here, and had a nice chat.
After lunch headed to Redbridge area of the Lower Test, but don't think I'll make this one of my regular haunts.. Couldn't hear myself think for traffic for one!
Finished the day exploring a fairly birdless piece of grassland and scrub between Calvelease copse and the Hoe Lane wasteground field, which like so many places round here looks to have potential!.. did manage to find a couple of holes in hedges to make a very nice circular walk from the house to the Copse, the grassland and scrub, then the wasteground field. No Stonechats today, but a few Fieldfare and Red-Legged Partridge in an adjacent field.
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