Army Ornithological SocietySPTA West
Hen Harrier Survey and Waxwings
The snow finally arrived last Friday which curtailed the Hen Harrier survey on Sunday afternoon. In the end 3 of the 4 main locations were manned by 1 person each though I did have to walk in to get a view of area by the junction of Tinker's Track and Berril Valley. The other 2 sites (New Zealand Farm and Imber Clump) were accessible by 4x4 vehicles. No-one saw a Harrier though there are a few around. I followed the bourne in the Berril Valley and was rewarded with a flock of 53 Lapwing plus a Snipe and Short-eared Owl. These owls are becoming very common on the Plain! Unfortunately I had to cancel a planned walk last Wednesday as the snow prevented cars from getting into the centre of the Plain. This afternoon I went back to the Berril Valley and waded through the bourne and the snow. This time the Lapwings numbered 100+ and they were mixed in with a flock of 500+ Rooks, Jackdaws and Starlings in a catttle graving area. In the bourne there were 4 Mallards and I had excellent views of 5 Stonechats feeding on the flattened grass. In the woods on the valley side a Goldcrest called and there were two large flocks of 16 Long-tailed Tits and 40+ Goldfinch as well as a range of other woodland birds. Walking across the snow covered grass I disturbed a fox and 5 Roe Deer.
Berril Valley Bourne
Midweek I did go on a twitch as I was determined to see a Waxwing. Fortunately this one of 3 was only 15 minutes away. I also stopped at Hiperton Marsh were there was a large flock (100+) of Fieldfares and Redwings plus a Bullfinch pair and 2 Yellowhammers.
Waxwing at Jewson's Trowbridge.
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