Getting Better

Overcast, 12°, light to breezy N.

A cooler day today and 5+ hours spent in the field on and around the hill and quite a contrast bird wise to yesterday with 2 new species for the year in Cholsey.

A phone call from Tony W this morning to say he had seen 20+ Redpoll out by the Lees, also several Reed Bunting, 5 Redwing, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Chiffchaff, several Goldcrest and an increase in Blackbird numbers.

Also seen over the week end, an Owl flushed alongside the Bunkline was either a Long-eared or Short-eared Owl (per GW).

Anyway back to Lollingdon today, 18 Grey Partridge, in excess of 200 Meadow Pipit, 70+ Pied Wagtail, 70+ Linnet, 23 Yellowhammer and 18 Corn Bunting on or around the hill. Flyovers were 63 Starling, 5 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Tree Sparrow and 2 Redwing.

5 Chiffchaff and 11 Goldcrest in total with several Tit flocks and a Little Owl heard calling. Also a Grey Wagtail still present in the area, plus 1 Sparrowhawk and several Buzzard and Red Kite.

Fieldfare and Ring Ouzel seen on Cholsey Downs yesterday and today (per RW & TW).

Butterflies: 1 Small White and 1 Red Admiral.

Cholsey, 29th Oct

Several Goldcrest on Lollingdon hill today (also a few near the four Arches along the Thames).

A bird not seen in Cholsey for a few years in the shape of a Tree Sparrow seen in association with some Chaffinch along a hedgerow near the hill, also some Corn Bunting in the vicinity.

A flock of approximately five hundred Starling (which I also saw as I came home today) around the hill ranging around the pig farm and nearby fields, also good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing.

Thanks to TW for the information.

Appears not to have been much in the garden recently as the feeders are still relatively full after my ten-day absence, however a Moorhen feeding at dusk and a Pheasant trying to gain entry to the garden by trying to walk through the fence rather than jump or fly over it!