Nature Notes

Birds seen today, during a 1-hour walk in the field in mixed sunshine and rain.

BIRD HIGHLIGHTS

• 1 GREATER WHITETHROAT - an adult bird was seen well foraging in the field brambles for half a minute, calling. A remarkably early record for this spring migrant, which usually shows up in late April.

• 1 Serin - a colourful yellow individual was seen perched in a neighbour's garden, eating buds, then flew high over our field. A rare winter visitor to Le Fresnot, becoming more frequent these past few years.

• 3 Hawfinch - seen well at back of the woodland (usual spot), vocalising and regularly seen flying between neighbouring gardens in the late afternoon.

• 2 Firecrest - in the field hedgerow

• 1 Short-toed Treecreeper - in the field hedgerow

OTHER BIRDS

• 2 Chiffchaff - singing in the woodland

• 1 Common Buzzard

• 4 Wood-Pigeons

• 1 Magpie

• 2 Carrion Crows

• 3 Great Tit

• 1 Wren - heard

• 1 Robin

• 2 Blackbirds

• 17 Starlings

• 1 Dunnock - heard

• Greenfinches - heard

• Goldfinches - heard

• House Sparrows - heard

OTHER WILDLIFE

• 2 Roe Deer in the woodland.

See Le Fresnot's eBird site for all past checklists.

Photo: Greater Whitethroat c/o Wikimedia Commons