Thanks to Gary for his Tuesday update...
Almost immediately after leaving the Visitor Centre, a quick scan down the deer-proof fence revealed four redpoll and a male stonechat. We decided to wait and see if the dartford Warbler would appear, and on cue there it was, posing on the wire. All hell broke loose as the white doves that were on the roof scattered trying to evade a peregrine. It just circled the centre in frustration having missed one and to add insult to injury a sparrowhawk tried to drive it off. The size difference was very noticeable; it must have been a very brave sparrowhawk.
West Mead had the usual selection of ducks plus two black-tailed godwits, and in the distance two peregrines decided to have a duel chasing each other all over the sky. At Winpenny a red kite drifted over sending everything into the air only to be attacked by one of the peregrines – why so argumentative today? Two buzzards sat hunched on fence posts trying to keep a low profile.
The North Brooks were comparatively quiet with only a kestrel to upset the throngs of ducks and lapwing, and we could only find a single snipe. There was however plenty of small birds with bullfinch and goldcrest being the best of the bunch. On the way back, a quick look for the dartford warbler was successful once again, although all too brief, but good views of the stonechat, redpoll and a wren were obtained. What made the day was not bird related – I didn’t get wet for once!
Photos through RSPB scope with phone at Hanger.