Sunday 9 February 2014

Group walks at Sissinghurst

Saturday saw a the Maidstone RSPB Group visit Sissinghurst, it was great to be with them with Peter the Ranger who organised the walk with Simon Ginnaw. We started off around the car park with half a dozen REDWING flying out over the new orchard followed by 5 BULLFINCH, 4 male and 1 female which where picking up grit.I caught a glimpse of the WATER RAIL as it disappeared under a fallen tree. It wasn't the busiest morning bird wise but we did add either hearing or seeing MARSH TIT, NUTHATCH and TREECREEPER also a nice little flock of REDPOLL were seen whilst we looked for Lesser Spotted Wood which didn't materialise. A BUZZARD was seen early on then 2 were picked up later over Roundshill Wood. We were lucky with the weather it rained hard around 8am and then not again until around 12 when we were sitting inside with a nice hot coffee.
This morning another great local group joined me in slightly windier conditions but nice bright sunshine at times certainly was appreciated. The highlights were a couple of LESSER REDPOLL and 9 SISKIN feeding together by the lake, which also produced several FIELDFARE and REDWING in the next field. It was hard going but we did find 31 species. A GREEN WOODPECKER showed well in  nice light as a BUZZARD flew behind it. After the group left I spent a short time looking across the valley, this was brightened by a male MERLIN (60) which flew low across the field next to Digdog Lane.
No pics this weekend so this one was from last week :-)

6 comments:

Marc Heath said...

Well done with the Merlin Alan, a good record for the site?

Warren Baker said...

Merlin is one that eludes my patch list Alan, nice one :-)

Greenie said...

Alan ,
Great sighting the Merlin , shame it didn't turn up earlier for the group .

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Nice pictures of this beautiful bird.. :-)))

Lou Mary said...

A great selection of birds! Lovely blue tit image :)

Helma said...

Once again you have seen many birds I read in your beruicht Alan and your blog itself shows you. A very beautiful Blue Tit And that he does not care a week earlier.