I thought I would have a look around Reap Lane Barns today for the Cirl Bunting, which has been here for quite a few weeks now. Unfortunately if it was still here I didn't see it, which was probably down to the stiff westerly coming straight in and over the fields where it had been seen previously.
However in my walk around the fields I did see a Fulmar overhead and a further five along the West Weares. Another tick for my year list, which now sits at 81.
Also about were 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Stonechats., 30+ Starlings and 40+ House Sparrows. Unsurprisingly a male Sparrowhawk came in low and fast over them, but failed to catch any of them.
However the best was to come with a Barn Owl calling from within the Barn.
An example of a Barn Owl calling
Birds Recorded:
6 Fulmar
1 Sparrowhawk
Herring Gull
2 Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
6 Fulmar
1 Sparrowhawk
Herring Gull
2 Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
1 Barn Owl
2 Meadow Pipit
3 Pied Wagtail
4 Stonechat
Blackbird
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
30+ Starling
40+ House Sparrow
2 Meadow Pipit
3 Pied Wagtail
4 Stonechat
Blackbird
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
30+ Starling
40+ House Sparrow
My first Fulmar of the year, plus........
.............a further five here along the West Weares
Two Stock Doves coming into land behind the main barn.
A Pied Wagtail in the horse paddock next to the barns.
Where there is muck there is money, or in this case a female Stonechat and..........
.........this male.
A few Starlings land in the "pool" close to the barn for a bathing session.
After three. One, Two.........
........Three and go.
Don't forget to come up for air!!
A short video of the Starlings bathing, in very windy conditions
After a wash-up it's back to the hedge to dry out.
Two male Starlings - blue colouration at the base of their beaks.
And a female Starling - pink colouration at the bill base.
General Shots:
Reap Lane Barns
And the field to the south of the barns.
Ted:
Ted looking a bit windswept in that strong westerly.