Thompson Wood 17 October 2026

The day dawned bright with a moderate northerly wind, and as I stepped outside a small flock of about 10 Redwings passed overhead. Things are now turning decidedly autumnal now.

Thompson Wood 0810-1030

The vast open grassland at Thompson Wood is in its infancy as a new woodland habitat, at the current time the habitat suits open country birds but evidence of new woodland is seen, however, grassland and wetland will remain as an important feature in future which will add to the already diverse habitats in the Thompson area. 

As expected in open country grassland habitat, today saw many Meadow Pipits (50+) spread over a wide area, their "seep-seep" calls a familiar sound of the landscape.  Skylarks were also quite numerous and along an area of hedgerow and hedgerow scrub at least 3 Stonechats were seen as expected.  A few Reed Buntings were also seen in the mix.  A couple of Redwings rose up from a patch of bramble closely followed by 4 Fieldfare (my first of the autumn).

Meadow Pipit at Thompson 17 October 2026. A common passage migrant and winter visitor.

Raven at Thompson 17 October 2026. 

A distant Raven was heard, I then saw it approaching and calling before it turned and alighted for a few minutes in a dead tree where it was mobbed by a smaller Crow species.  How the status of this magnificent Crow has changed in just a decade or so, formerly a rare vagrant, Ravens are increasing and I am either seeing or hearing these wonderful birds on most of my local birding field trips.