A different walk for a change and with lots of migrants pouring in at The Bill, it was off to the Top Fields and Sweethill to see what I could find.
My walk today. (Map courtesy of Google Earth)
Having parked up at the Obs, I walked up the track opposite and just past the Crown Estate Fields I came across a female Black Redstart in one of the horse paddocks and a Stonechat. Further up there were Skylarks singing away, with a few males displaying to females.
Along the hedgerows up to the Southwell Barns there were dozens of Chiffchaffs feeding and at the barns there was a pile of hay and horse manure, which was like a beacon to many more.
As I headed back towards the main road, I doubled back on the ridge and headed back to Culverwell. Along the path here I came across another Stonechat, 2 Goldcrests, a female Blackcap and a Song Thrush singing deep in the hedge. Also along here I came across a regurgitated pellet, presumably from a Barn Owl.
At Culverwell there was another Song Thrush and more Chiffchaffs. As I watched the Chiffchaffs a Moorhen called out. A real rarity indeed.
Here are a few images from today:
In the horse paddock just above the Crown Estate Fields there was a Stonechat and this........
..........female Black Redstart.
In the Top Fields plenty of corvids with this Carrion Crow looking very dominant with these Jackdaws.
Lots of Skylarks and this presumed male displaying to a female close by.
Just before the barns this pile of waste hay and horse manure was attracting a lot of flies and in turn lots of Chiffchaffs,
Here are two Chiffchaffs with a yellowish bird on the right.
Here's another.
And another.
And one more.
Alright another then.
This one was on an Elder and very close to me........
..........all seems well, but every now and then it would fluff itself up.
Never a good sign when birds are fluffed up with eyes closed.
It did perk up when someone shouted behind me.........
........but sadly it closed its eyes again.
The waste heap was also attracting the Dunnocks.
Further along my walk there was a.........
............Chiffchaff at my feet and............
.........a female Stonechat on the electric fence post.
As I headed south along this hedgerow a pair of Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs and a female Blackcap appeared in the bushes.
A trio of mushrooms.............
....................and a shot showing the gills. This is possibly Common Conecap, Conocybe tenera. More on this Mushroom Here.
Birds Recorded: 1 Kestrel, Pheasant, 1 Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart, Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 50+ Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Ships Today
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.