A 9.30 start for my south east walk, good early spring weather, clear and calm.Highlight were watching 2 common buzzards soaring on thermals towards Bush Wood and Winding Hill. A new bird for the year, expected and surprisingly late to discover were two linnets in trees opposite Bridgefoot Farm. They showed well for a few minutes before heading off east. A single song thrush was singing in the garden of Ashford House as the usual suspects for the Ford were registered. Yellowhammers appeared to be constantly singing along the hedgerow as I headed south towards Bush Wood and skylarks sang above me over the ploughed fields, now containing field beans. Green woodpeckers called (3) and a solitary great spotted was heard drumming in Bush Wood. No sign of any frog or toad migration at the small pond in this particular wood. Apparently they are late all over the UK this year, maybe they are expecting a big freeze!
2 moorhens called from the undergrowth along the River Ash as a party of 10 redwings winged their way north.
Later on (2.00 - 3.30pm) I ventured out again, on my south west walk. New birds for the day included 3 bullfinches opposite Bridgefoot Farm, 144 fieldfares on the par 3 short course at Ash Valley golf club. Here we sheltered from the driving drizzle before blue skies prevailed once again. Calling jays on the golf course and plenty of magpies along the road heading back the village were seen and heard. A refreshing pint of Abbot did the job in the Nags Head followed by a session of trying to photograph garden birds. I need to get hold of a 300mm lens, as at present I only have a 55mm on my Nikon D40.
Also of note were several clumps of wild daffodils (narcissus pseudonarcissus) which can be differentiated from the garden species by its lack of leaves on the stem. Lesser celeandine ( ranunulus ficaria) was also noted in ditches adjacent to the 1st hole on the golf course, but yet to come into full bloom. The photos attached show the male River Ash mallard near the Ford, whilst the lower one depicts the blackthorn blossom west and downhill from Bush Wood.
2 moorhens called from the undergrowth along the River Ash as a party of 10 redwings winged their way north.
Later on (2.00 - 3.30pm) I ventured out again, on my south west walk. New birds for the day included 3 bullfinches opposite Bridgefoot Farm, 144 fieldfares on the par 3 short course at Ash Valley golf club. Here we sheltered from the driving drizzle before blue skies prevailed once again. Calling jays on the golf course and plenty of magpies along the road heading back the village were seen and heard. A refreshing pint of Abbot did the job in the Nags Head followed by a session of trying to photograph garden birds. I need to get hold of a 300mm lens, as at present I only have a 55mm on my Nikon D40.
Also of note were several clumps of wild daffodils (narcissus pseudonarcissus) which can be differentiated from the garden species by its lack of leaves on the stem. Lesser celeandine ( ranunulus ficaria) was also noted in ditches adjacent to the 1st hole on the golf course, but yet to come into full bloom. The photos attached show the male River Ash mallard near the Ford, whilst the lower one depicts the blackthorn blossom west and downhill from Bush Wood.
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