Superb bird walk

lesser redpoll

lesser redpoll

1 of 7 meadow pipits

spot the little owl

ploughed field warming up.

After the fog had lifted I ventured out in good temperatures and a clear blue sky. Plenty of bird song and after 400 yards from the house I had little owl, great spotted woodpecker and the regular tits and finches. In all, 40 species for the walk which, when you consider that my village list for 2013 is only 60, it shows what a lot of birds were about. Highlight was undoubtedly a solitary lesser redpoll seen on the edge of Queer Wood, with a few linnets. Only the 3rd parish record for this bird. Soon after a mandarin flew over, diving down into a flooded area of an inaccessible coppice. Treecreeper, nuthatch, 7 meadow pipits and goldcrest were also registered. A bullfinch was heard, as was a tawny owl. 3 common buzzards overhead as I wandered back home down Chapel Lane. A most relaxing wander.