A wander around the west of the parish, the first for quite a while, proved most profitable. Upon leaving the house, a red kite flew low over Chapel Lane, before I had my camera ready! As I headed up the lane, fieldfare, redwing, blackbirds and corvids were evident along with the resident house sparrows at the local farm.
Down a muddy footpath great, long tailed and blue tits, a kestrel and great spotted woodpecker. Plenty of bullfinches called from the undergrowth, but none for a photo. A little further on I heard the unmistakable sound of ring necked parakeets. 2 birds, pointed wings, long thin tails flew over the canopy, too fast for a photo. A search ensued but no further sign. Bird species number 106 for the parish and a bird I had eventually expected to come across. My 3rd new bird of the year, so most pleasing, following on from an April raven and August whinchats.
A woodcock flew from closeby, winging its way through the dense trees, a year lister, number 218. Around Westland Green and on to the golf course. More long tailed tits and then a solitary meadow pipit on the course. Along New Road (built in the 1800's!) were plenty of fieldfares, redwing, dunnocks, a party of linnets and a flyover goldfinch. Also, more bullfinches, an all female winter party of 4 birds. This was the 4th group I had encountered, totaling 17 birds in all; good local numbers. I shall now visit this area more frequently over the winter to keep an eye and ear open for the parakeets.
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| long tailed tit |
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| meadow pipit |
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| 2 female bullfinches |
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| fieldfare |
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