A walk around Holywell and the surrounding fields this morning revealed very encouraging numbers of farmland species. Birds were feeding in and below a large untouched hedgerow and in the adjacent stubble fields. The most numerous were Linnets, with around 200 present. This flock flew to a tree-top and constantly twittered to each other, before numbers gradually dropped once more to the ground to feed. Yellowhammers, always a favourite, numbered some 35,the males,still bright, looking splendid in the morning sunshine. With them were at least 22 Reed Buntings gleaning seeds from the ground. Tree Sparrows too, here in numbers, around 30 noted ( 12 at the Pond too). Up from the stubble rose 20 Skylarks,calling as they took flight. One began to sing in the mild, still air as one Linnet sang from a bush-top. No winter conditions this year,as yet! A female Kestrel patrolled the nearby rough pasture, causing mld panic among the finches and buntings. Goldfinches and Chaffinches fed among the thistles and bramble bushes,perhaps 20-30 of each species. A single Grey Partridge called out of view.
Over to the Pond,where 650 Pink footed Geese ,noisily flew from the pond to nearby fields,followed by 190 Lapwings-a good count. These had been bathing and preening in front of the public hide. 21 Tufted Duck, several Wigeon and Gadwall and an assortment of commoner gulls made up the species on the pond. A few more Reed Buntings here near the feeding station,with 10 Blackbirds and 2 Song Thrushes.
A.S.Jack