Ventured out at dawn for an hour.. Despite there being no frost or snow on the ground, a strong easterly was really unpleasant!
Not a great deal around. Two Kestrels seemed to be hunting everywhere I looked, and I counted the Magpies out of their roost for a change (32).
The local Buzzard was circling and calling quite early and the surrounding Farmland had a few Thrushes. Seeing more Song Thrushes than usual this winter.
Dog Walkers's field had a single Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, and a steady trickle of gulls overhead presumably from the Test Estuary heading north to the fields and open countryside North of Romsey.
Lunchtime was slightly better further along Hoe Lane with a Stoat running across the lane with a catch, and a Raven slowly passing overhead.
Fields here had more Redwing and Fieldfares, with a large flock of Corvids (mainly Jackdaws and Rooks) plus 7 Stock Doves. Next field had a small group of 11 Pied Wagtails, and a Skylark.
Pheasant covers are all still high with maize so not much chance of seeing any Finch flocks. Did see 4 Red Legged Partridges on the edge of one strip.
Garden highlights: A Roe Deer is still visiting overnight to polish off any bird feed at ground level. Goldfinch numbers are now up to 8 (almost a flock!), and 2 Nuthatches are ever present from the kitchen window. First Redwings of the winter, other than fly-overs, arrived in the street today.
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