Army Ornithological SocietySPTA West
It is now well into January and the bournes on Imber are in full spate. It was not that long ago that the Berrill through Imber was in flood. I wisely turned off onto American Road as I drove into the village as did 4 minibuses of Afghans. The water was getting deeper and though my car is used to muddy and wet tracks this was worse than driving landrovers throuh Icelandic rivers. At Chitterne the road was closed and some person has put up a sign under the village name "Twinned with Atlantis". Tilshead had become a ford and half the road was closed with a line of sand bags down the middle to prevent too much water crossing the road. Everywhere the ground is saturated and all rain just runs straight off fields and springs are in full flow. I did take a break from the Plain with the AOS trip to Norfolk which proved to be a good day despite the weather. On the Sunday I went to the bird spectacular at Snettisham which truly was. I then popped back to Titchwell where I missed Lapland Bunting by minutes but did add Water Rail, Rock Pipit and Brambling. Back home I also visited Blashford Lakes (Red-crested Pochard and Black-necked Grebe) as well as wasting half a day on Southampton water looking for Velvet Scoter but did bag Long-tailed Duck at Hayling Island. In between I have managed some time on the Plain though the tanks are back which restricts which areas I can walk in. There are plenty of raptors around especially Buzzards. In addition the chances of seeing Short-eared Owl, Peregrine, Merlin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are good. There are Hen Harriers about however the Centre is still the favoured area. There were 500+ Linnet at the Lavington Vedette and 500+ Golden Plover at Gore Cross. Ravens are commonplace and they are putting on a great spectacle as they tumble through the sky. It has been very windy for a few weeks and where there are sheltered spots, flocks of tits have been found along with Goldcrests and Reed Buntings. There was a flock of 200+ Corn Buntings near the Tilshead Water Tower whilst Stonechat and Yellowhammer are spread across the Plain. This weekend is the RSPB Garden Birdwatch so I shall spend some time on that before heading out.
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