Monday 13th December 2010

Another walk from Hardwick Hall CP to Castle Lake and back via Fishburn Lake today produced a good selection of birds.

Highlights were a female Merlin low and fast over the A1 Flashes heading south-east just before midday, a Green Sandpiper on the wet grassland at Low Hardwick Carrs and a Kingfisher flying along the River Stell.

A (not very good) picture of the Kingfisher perched above the Stell this afternoon.

Hardwick Hall CP;
27 Mute Swan, 36 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, fem. Pochard.

Tile Shed Plantation;
Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, GS Woodpecker, Jay (heard). 

Low Hardwick Carrs;
Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, 50 Greylag Geese, 4 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 20 Mallard, Sparrowhawk, 11 Curlew, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Bullfinch, 3 Reed Bunting.

Castle Lake (still frozen);
Sparrowhawk.

A1 Flashes/River Stell;
fem. Merlin low & fast heading south-east @11:55, 2 Mute Swan, 8 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 5 Coot, 8 Redshank, Kingfisher, 6 Pied Wagtail.

Railway Bridlepath;
Kestrel, 150+ Blackbird/Fieldfare/Redwing, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, 11 Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, 2 Bullfinch.
 
Fishburn Lake/Island Farm/Alan's Pool;
Kestrel, 9 Grey Partridge, Snipe, 400 Woodpigeon, 4 Stock Dove, GS Woodpecker, 200+ Jackdaw/Rook/Carrion Crow, 100 Starling, 3 Tree Sparrow, 2 Yellowhammer, 20 Reed Bunting.