Went for a walk just after dawn to the waste ground field. This field seems to get decent numbers of birds migrating over, and today was fairly typical with small flocks of Redwings and Fieldfare heading north. Also a steady movement of Woodpigeons moving South.
Was thinking "forget scarce birds.. Woodpigeons and Thrushes.. THIS is what local birding is about", when a Hen Harrier headed low over the field mobbed by a crow. It shook the Crow off fairly easily, and headed straight towards me. I was hidden from view, and got super views of it hunting. Wasn't long before the local Buzzards, and a couple of Jays got wind of it, and it was soon lost to view. Saw it again about 10 minutes later.. this time heading off north. Quite an amazing record for a "Dog Walkers's Field" right on the edge of the village.
For the record counted about 300 Wood Pigeons, 70 Redwing, and 50 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, and 3 Skylarks overhead. Plus Meadow Pipits, Stonechat, Bullfinch, and Song and Mistle Thrush on the ground.
Ended the walk in slightly embarrassing circumstances when a "Lollypop Man" helped me across Rownhams Lane! |
