GAME COVER FLOCKS

It was nice seeing lots of small bird activity on various parts of Maydays Farm on a windy Saturday 8th. Most birds were around some of the game cover crops dotted about the farm. Two brambling were found amongst 100 chaffinches split between two flocks. Twenty yellowhammers added a bit of colour, 15 corn buntings also noted while 150 linnets rose up out of one crop to perch on a small tree. Also seen were 150 fieldfares and 25+ redwings as well as a flock of 50 skylarks. Needless to say there were lots of the familiar birds present with several song thrushes, lots of blackbirds with a few robins, tits etc.

A sparrowhawk flashed over one game crop, a kestrel near the seawall, while at least one peregrine was seen tussling briefly with another falcon that was probably also a peregrine. Marsh harriers were constantly flying around the Reeveshall fleet with at least 4 seen here, while another 4 seen on Langenhoe too.

Along the Pyefleet Channel 300+ shelduck were seen with 50 avocets also close-by along the water's edge. Some big dunlin flocks flew around with 1000 birds noted with a few knot mixed in too. In the distance 4 pintail were seen as were 3 little egrets which are still rather scarce following the cold snap.

Andy Field reported seeing the brightly marked coal tit in Shop Lane, showing markings suggesting the continental race of coal tit. This brightly marked bird was first seen in late November but seemed to have gone missing for the next few weeks until today.