Army Ornithological SocietySPTA West
The Roar of the Wind
It has been very quiet on the Plain with only the rush or roar of the wind creating any noise besides the occasional cackling of corvids. There are large flocks of Starlings often with Fieldfares mixed in scatterd across the area. The Starlings still roost in their hundreds of thousands on the Larkhill Impact Area but I have still yet to see the whole body swarm around rather than just the initial arrivals. Woodpigeons are scarce as huge flocks have migrated to farmer's fields on the the valleys around the Plain. It is therefore rather bare except for the herds of cows and sheep in the temporary pens. This is all about to change as today was the last access day until mid March by which time the Plain should be alive with birds setting up their territories. There are still two Hen Harrier surveys to do and we have been given permission to do one this month during a small window of opportunity when we will not be mistaken for being shady characters! Not that I have found any "characters" in any Chaffinch flock which have been studied with care. The only highlight was when I was approaching a Vedette driving home tonight. A small bird was flying fast right to left to my front low across the ground. Following the dual action of an emergency stop whilst raising my binos, I latched onto a Merlin. Unfortunately it seemed to be on a mission and a few seconds later had crested the brow not to return. My return is now on hold and the re-opening will be celebrated with an organised walk. Other locations will have to be visited in the meantime starting with Blackburn Meadows tomorrow! (Dad's taxi being resurrected).
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