Went for a short walk just before dusk to the nearby "dog walkers's" field on the edge of the village. Wasn't expecting a great deal, more hoping for a bit of quality, maybe an Owl!
Field was quiet, just a couple of Meadow Pipits, a small flock of Linnets over and a couple of Kestrels.. one was mobbing a Buzzard. There is also a Magpie roost to the East of the field, and a steady trickle of about 20 Magpies headed in the direction of the roost. Popped my head through a gap in the hedge and scanned the adjacent farmland.. quite a bit more activity here with about a hundred Thrushes, mainly Redwings feeding in the open, plus 12 Roe Deers and a single Fox. Staked out the wasteground until it was dark, then headed back home. Struck lucky about halfway across the field when a Barn Owl passed close by and continued hunting around the field. Got superb views, and also good views of a Woodcock overhead. Woodcock looked like it had come from the "roost" I stumbled upon last winter. Kept an eye on the Barn Owl for a few minutes figuring if anything else was in the field he would find it first, but had to be content with just the one Owl, my first within the village, and quite a surprise as we are in real Tawny Owl country. Maybe there is hope for finding a Little Owl in the nearby farmland after all!
The Garden feeders are popular as you would expect this week. Highlight was a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeder, and a slight increase in Chaffinches and Pied Wagtails. |
