Tuesday 27 January 2009

Winter Term - Tuesday 3 - Millington Pastures

Hawfinch (c) 2009 Chris Gomersall Hawfinch (c) 2009 Chris Cox
Hawfinch (c) 2009 John Batham Grey Wagtail (c) 2009 John Batham
Bullfinch (c) 2009 Michael Flowers
Great Tit (c) 2009 Michael Flowers
This morning’s session clashed with a major shoot, and the shoot won! There were no birds round the pool as a result. We retreated to the woodland and had some excellent views of Marsh Tit, Kestrel, Stonechat and Bullfinches. Phil & Claude were held up in traffic, but came across a Stoat in its Ermine coat in Millington Wood itself; and Chris Cox saw another Ermine nearer the village of Millington. The shoot had moved off by the time of the afternoon session and the group were rewarded with the best views of a male Hawfinch so far. We were generously helped to these views by Chris Gomersall, a patient wildlife photographer who directed the classes attention on more than one occasion. His is the first photo above. We also saw a Grey Wagtail and heard Redwing singing. A party of Long-tailed Tits came extremely close, but it will be the excellent views of the Hawfinch which will linger in the memory.

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