SUNDAY. Jon Lloyd -

Great morning clear blue skies from dawn. The place was alive with birds this morning. Flocks of Fieldfare 500 and Redwing in smaller groups. Starling flock growing again as the morning went on. Probably more than 1000 by lunchtime.

Little Owl in its usual hole and Buzzards everywhere. Kestrel caught a short tailed field vole in front of the hide and then did a hide flypast just to show us what it had caught.

No Bittern - I don't think it likes weekends ( or me) ! This is what it did to me last week and then all week I had reports..... Bittern showing well.....in front of hide.....taken lots of pictures etc etc Hmmmm!!

 

Plenty of small birds around this morning which was quite a feature. I watched 7 Corn Buntings going backwards and forwards from the ground into a Hawthorn Tree. They were joined by several Reed Buntings, Yellow Hammer, Chaffinch and a Tree Sparrow. Large flock of finches probably Linnets in the distant field and plenty of small flocks of Greenfinch and Goldfinch. The field behind the wetland must be holding at least 300 Skylarks again.

The pools were full after yesterdays rain. There were large numbers of Teal, 30 Mallard, 9 Wigeon. Cormorant and overhead 13 Lesser Black Backed Gulls and 39 Lapwings.

Moorhen (see picture right) and Water Rail calling and briefly seen.

At about 1.30pm I left the hide and walked the path back to the road. I hadn't got too far when I was called back. A male Hen Harrier chased by a smaller hawk had flown over head and within a few minutes we also picked up a female Hen Harrier to the left of the hide in the wet rough area of a neighbouring field. Pete Jordan arrived and with persistance we got further views of the female bird.

Martin Grant -recorded a Coal Tit near the farm as he was leaving, there was a flock of 20+ Great Tits, also a
Goldcrest

 

 

 

Nice Parasol Mushrooms in the hedge bottom. This pair gave a nice before and after view!(Jon Lloyd)

 

 

 

 

MONDAY. Pete Jordan & Martin Grant - mid-day, recorded 2 Water Rails and I Marting had his first Kingfisher for Wall Farm. Two Hundred Teal and a female Pochard, only the 2nd site record. Tuesday 26th a Thursday the 28th, to the right of the telegraph pole.Yesterday Wednesday 27th as well as the male Pochard, Pete recorded 15 Grey Partridge that landed on the marsh in front of the Alders. Also yesterday 40+ Mallard 22 Lapwing, Little Grebe, Little Owl, Sparrowhawk and a Snipe.Still large flocks of around 800 Starlings and 400 Wood Pigeons today Thursday 28th as well as the usual Fieldfares, Pete had a flock of 50 Redwing. 2 Snipe could be seen on the marsh although I am sure there must be many more out of sight.As is usual Sparrow Hawk, Kestrel, Buzzard and a couple of Grey Heron were seen most days. No report of the Bittern, it is a week now since it was last seen, perhaps it will put in an appearance at the weekend.PS Ilike the setup you have created for the bird list, if you want to go through the old records Stephanie has the previous log book, I am sure she would lend it to you cheers for now Martin

TUESDAY. John Baker - reported male Hen Harrier in front of hide today at about 11am. No sign of the Bittern. (Thanks John)

Martin Grant and 'Jake'- Hen Harrier observed, by "Jake" at 10-50 feeding on its kill in the stubble field, it was seen to fly behind the ivy covered hawthorn trees.At mid-day I also observed a Kestrel devouring a field vole on top of the pump-house. 80 Stock Doves were on the Telegraph wires and the Stonechat gave good views in the centre of the marsh directly in front of the hide.

WEDNESDAY.

Pete Jordan - recorded 15 Grey Partridge that landed on the marsh in front of the Alders. Also yesterday 40+ Mallard 22 Lapwing, Little Grebe, Little Owl, Sparrowhawk and a Snipe.

THURSDAY.I recieved the following email today from Andy Owen.(Photo - Jon Lloyd - male and female Teal)

I visited wallfarm for the first time today along with my mother. I was watching the Teal and Mallard and then
spotted a raptor in the large tree across from the hide. Fortunately it sat still long enough to identify it as the female Hen Harrier! A new tick on the list! This was at about 14:30hrs.

Thanks Andy

Pete Jordan &Martin Grant - recorded a male Pochard and Stonechat on the boundary fence today.Still large flocks of around 800 Starlings and 400 Wood Pigeons. As well as the usual Fieldfares, Pete had a flock of 50 Redwing. 2 Snipe could be seen on the marsh although I am sure there must be many more out of sight.

FRIDAY.

Martin Grant - Hi Jon news from Wall Farm Friday 29th Pete saw the female Hen Harrier fly through the marsh at 12-45 and over the Green field to the right of the hide at 13-05. He also had a male Kingfisher on the branch over the Strine Brook under the Hide window. I recorded 2 Little Owls on the fence posts down the field opposite the farm gate.Male and female Sparrow Hawk together on the marsh the female stealing the males kil.l Other birds today included.5 Wigeon 2 male/ 3 female, with 200+ Teal and 4 Buzzards.

SATURDAY. Jon Lloyd - Started raining shortly after dawn. Skies were overcast and there was a light breeze. The pools continue to fill after all the rain we have had this week. There were lots of small birds around again. Goldfinches in small flocks of 12 or more, and the first Siskins (12) of the year feeding as always in amongst the catkins of the Alder Trees along the water courses. Small flocks of Chaffinches and the odd Greenfinch. Party of tits in a woody field corner turned up Great, Blue and Coal Tit and with them, a Treecreeper and 2 Goldcrests. Grey and Pied Wagtails flew overhead during the morning..

Plenty of activity around the farm, the hedges here usually turn up a Tree Sparrow or two but the Little Owl was not in its usual spot. Large flocks of Fieldfare and several flocks of Starlings 500+.

The pools had the usual large quanity of Teal perhaps 200. Large numbers of Mallard with them this morning, at least 50. Five Wigeon appeared during the morning and so did a Little Grebe.There were 3 or 4 Moorhen around and the Water Rail called intermittently during the morning.

Five Snipe flew in and a Redshank flew round the pool settled and swam in deep water for a breif while before thinking better of it and taking off in the direction it had come. A flock of 23 Lapwing flew over the hide mid morning.

Buzzards were sitting around tyring not to get too wet!! The Kestrels attempt at vole capture failed in front of the hide. One Buzzard was extremely cheesed off with a pair of Ravens who made off with what ever the Buzzard had found to eat but had absolutley no chance of recovering its prize by chasing the Ravens who made off beak full!

Other Birds this morning, Redwing, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Yellowhammer, Black Headed Gull, Rook, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Sklarks (favourite field is being ploughed!!)Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Pheasant, Meadow Pipit.