Back To Normal

I had all the family round yesterday for an afternoon/evening buffet, but it was great to be back to normal today and head off to Rawcliffe Moss to the feeding station. I say 'back to normal' but I had 'her indoors' with me this morning which meant it was less hard core birding (if it ever is) and more of a pleasant stroll!

There were quite a number of Pink-footed Geese on the move this morning with a number of birds arriving from the east to feed somewhere on the west of Rawcliffe Moss. As it was a frosty morning a number of farmers were out muck spreading and I can only assume that the 'Pinkies' were disturbed from other areas by these agricultural activities. In total I had 3,602 'Pinks' fly over during our walk.

 'Pinkies'

Thrush numbers had reduced compared to recent days and I only had single figure counts of Blackbird, Fieldfare and Redwing and no Song Thrush. Down at the feeding station were 142 Tree Sparrows, 20 Starlings, 15 Chaffinch, and 2 Yellowhammers.

 Tree Sparrows heading back to the feeding station (honestly!)

We headed up the '97 hedge' towards the wild bird seed plot to see if there was anything in there, but before we could get there 3 people and 3 dogs from one of the converted, now private, farm dwellings on the Moss were heading in that direction, so there was no point heading there. The dogs were running everywhere, 'miles' from their owners, but I am not going to say anymore otherwise I won't stop!

Heading up towards the plantation 2 Roe Deer crossed our path and we flushed a single Woodcock from close to the main track. The plantation was very quiet and other than a Buzzard flying over we had very little else. It was time to head back south towards the car and we paused to look at a flock of 8 Corn Buntings perched on telegraph wires before heading home.

Corn Bunting (above) and Corn Buntings (below)