Date: 18th January 2023
Time: from 8:50 a.m.
Weather: dry, sunny, light wind, -2°C to 1°C
It was a beautiful sunny but very cold and frosty morning for my third visit of the year to the site.
I again had a very successful visit with 3 additions to my 2023 site list. These, together with the chance sighting of a Grey Heron on my return from a day out on 17th January 2023, takes the total number of species to date to 30.
The most remarkable and unexpected addition to my 2023 site list was Ring-necked Parakeet. I saw a single bird flying over the north of the site and it took a few moments to work out what it was since it was not giving the usual loud, squawking calls. I have only ever recorded this species on one other occasion on 25th June 2020 when I saw 2 birds.
The other 2 additions to my 2023 site list were a single male Goldcrest in the wooded area at the end of the access track from Larkins Tyres (I heard it calling initially and then eventually saw it as it sang briefly) plus a small group of Starlings flying over the scrub area behind Larkins Tyres.
Other notable sightings during my visit included a single Sparrowhawk flying over the church in a south-westerly direction, c.10 Redwings at various locations around the site and 2 individual Great Spotted Woodpeckers, the first at the top of one of the tall trees in the south west corner of the site and the second in the wooded area adjacent to the access track from Larkins Tyres.
With regard to mammals, I saw a Red Fox at the end of the access track from Larkins Tyres as I was about to start my walk. I again saw what was probably the same animal on several occasions from my usual watchpoint overlooking the field, scrub and hedges in the north of the site. I saw another Red Fox briefly as it crossed the grassy strip leading down from the church car park to St. Nicholas Lane.
I also saw a Reeves’ Muntjac as it crossed the road on Church Hill and 2 Grey Squirrels around the large oak tree bordering the field in the north of the site.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
Here are some photos from my visit:
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Grey Squirrel
Photo: Grey Squirrel
Photo: Grey Squirrel
Photo: Goldcrest
Photo: Goldcrest
Photo: Great Spotted Woodpecker
Photo: Great Tit
Photo: Collared Dove
Photo: Collared Dove
Site totals for 2023 to date (2022 totals in brackets):
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
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