Date: 22nd November 2022
Time: from 8.45 a.m.
Weather: dry, sunny, light wind, 6°C to 8°C
This was my first visit to the site since 11th October 2022 and it proved to be very productive.
I recorded 21 species of birds, an unexpectedly high total for late autumn, plus I had some excellent sightings of at least 4 Red Foxes.
I accessed the site as I usually do via the track from Larkins Tyres. I stopped by the fence adjacent to Larkin Tyres to scan the scrub and scattered bushes and immediately saw a very distant Red Fox right at the back of this area.
Whilst scanning this area, I also heard a calling Chaffinch in the bushes adjacent to the track which I eventually saw when it flew. I heard what was presumably the same bird calling as I continued walking down the track. I do manage to record Chaffinch at the site each year but it is a species that I rarely hear or see so this was a welcome sighting.
I also had my only sighting of a Grey Squirrel in the trees bordering the track.
After reaching the wooded area at the end of the track, I walked through the trees to the watchpoint overlooking the rough grassy field bordered by scrub, hedges and trees. I spent well over an hour here and this is where I had my most notable sightings.
Firstly, I saw both a Sparrowhawk and a Common Buzzard, both birds being pursued and harassed by the local Magpies.
Secondly, a berry-laden hedge at the rear of the field intermittently attracted up to 10 Redwings, my first record of the autumn.
From the watchpoint I also heard 2 calling Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a single calling Green Woodpecker. I did see 2 Green Woodpeckers later in my visit, the first at the top of Church Hill and the other in the eastern section of the cemetery, although both were brief sightings of flying birds.
The watchpoint also produced several sightings and extended views of what I believe was the same Red Fox plus a brief sighting of another. I was able to get several photos of the first animal.
I briefly saw another Red Fox in the eastern section of the cemetery.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
Site totals to date (2022 totals in brackets):
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