GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count 7th to 23rd February 2025 (An Update)

I am currently in the second and final week of this years bird count for the GWCT (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust).  I am writing this just to update you on my findings thus far.

Raptor species have been well represented by good numbers of Buzzards (I wouldn't have written that 30+ years ago), also Kestrels have featured regularly and Sparrowhawks have been seen on a couple of occasions.  A female Marsh Harrier was seen passing through the area.  Goshawks have been seen twice including a close encounter with a large juvenile female bird, and scarcer still, I have recorded both Peregrine and Merlin within the count period.

Fieldfare - several flocks seen on the count including some heading east.

What has been particularly noticeable is the variable distributions of common species, some sites for example have seen low numbers of Chaffinches in areas of game cover where I would expect to see them, however, reasonable numbers have been seen at other areas where feeding attracts birds with the highest count of Chaffinches being 100+, somewhat down in previous years.  To date within the count period I have not seen a single Brambling (although I have seen a few prior to the start of the count).  Linnets have shown quite well with the highest count being on the 18th with 300+ wandering over a large field and feeding.  A small Alder wood in the Wissey valley held 40+ Siskins (I have seen flocks of 100-200+ birds).

Fieldfares have been present on most days with the highest count numbering 80+ birds.  Today, the 18th, I noticed an easterly movement of Fieldfares, this tells me these birds are moving towards the coast in readiness for their passage to Northern Europe. Lesser numbers of Redwings have also been seen.

One of most eagerly awaited for songsters is the Woodlark, so far during the count period I have seen 4 displaying male birds, yesterdays bird was a particularly enjoyable encounter because I laid back in the grass (just a bit wet) and watched a Woodlark displaying directly overhead, such a magical experience.  Breckland is one of the UK strongholds for Woodlarks, watching their fluttering display and broad-winged and short-tailed appearance, their flight is likened to that of a bat.

Reeve's Pheasant (Male) A brute of a bird.

A number of bird species seen so far on my count are non-natives which are now considered naturalised residents.  The commonest of these of course is the Pheasant along with Red-legged Partridges, however, one bird I have seen on the count is a male Reeve's Pheasant, my area of Breckland is one of the UK's strongholds for this introduced species.  Reeve's Pheasants are much large than the more familiar Pheasant, it is very large, bulky, strong looking, and has been known to be aggressive towards humans.  The Reeve's Pheasant appears in the 2008 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest natural tail feather of any bird at almost 8 feet long.

Egyptian Geese is another non-native, these are quite common in Breckland, and despite coming from the hot continent of Africa, the species has adapted to our cold winters, their hardiness is seen in February when their young appear, despite any frost and snow.  Egyptian Geese nest in holes in large trees.