It may appear bleak, grey, isolated, and uninviting, and this is how many people may view the conditions at Deopham Green during my work-break during the afternoon of 8th November, however, there is always something of interest to find and watch which will brighten the dullest of days.
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| Kestrel at Deopham Green 8th November |
As I was driving along the road which was the former main runway of RAF Deopham (USAF WW2 station), a female
Kestrel perched sentinel-like, overseeing its territory of wide open expanses of farmland. This Falcon is often seen hunting roadsides and headlands in the Deopham Green area.
With this part Deopham Green being very exposed, wind is often a feature of the weather here and I am always amazed how Kestrels hold their positions when hovering by tilting their wings and adjusting their tails in order to watch for prey below.
The wind was moderate, occasionally fresh in strength, I therefore decided to park where I could see along the sheltered lengths of one of the most important hedgerows in the area. Several
Blackbirds (some were probably migrants) fed along the sheltered edge, these were joined by a few
Fieldfare and small numbers of
Redwings.
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| Fieldfare at Deopham Green 8th November |
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| Redwing at Deopham Green 8th November |
On a dull, grey day with failing light, who cannot appreciate the beauty of winter Thrushes like this
Fieldfare and
Redwing at Deopham Green. The multi-coloured Fieldfare seen here often dropped to the ground to drink from a small puddle. Without the use of optics, this Redwing was sometimes difficult to see unless it moved. The Redwing is smaller than Fieldfare, the head of Redwing is strongly marked with the pale supercillium being a conspicuous feature, and of course, the Red flanks gives the bird its name. This particular Redwing is an adult, juvenile birds wing-coverts are pale edged.
On a dull day, birds are always to be found and will lift your spirits and brighten your day.
You know what's lovely? All these regular reports about Greenfinches being seen when you think back a couple of years and the suggestion that they were about to wiped out by whatever that particular disease was at the time. Also good to see mention of Brambling which we also have right down here on the southernmost coast of Spain. Up in my local mountains at the Sierra Loja yeterday and about 50 Ring Ouzels along with a trio of Redwing, single Fieldfare, Blue Rock Thrush, Song Thrush and the resident Mistle Thrushes and Blackbirds. All now on the blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots as well Paul.
Really impressed by 50 Ring Ouzels you located Bob. It was good to see 110+ Greenfinches at Thompson, I just hope they have recovered from that awful disease, Trichonomosis....or something like that I think. Also recently had Hawfinch on the patch, undoubtedly one of the huge invasion of this species in the UK. Bramblings are beginning to build at Little Cressingham, I am hoping that as winter progresses, I see three-figure totals again.
ReplyDeletePaul