Army Ornithological SocietySPTA West
On Sunday I visited the Starling murmuration however the majority of birds went straight in after the initial crowd flew around a bit. It was the same today when I watched from 5km away at NZ farm where I was looking for Short-eared Owls; 2 hunting plus a ringtail Hen Harrier. On Monday I followed a hunting female Hen Harrier for 3 km in the car along Tinker's Track. I was on the Berril Valley SE of Imber for today and yesterday. Stonechats soon became another "Just a" (another Stonechat). Today I led a walk for the Wiltshire Ornithological Society with 34 species seen. The highlights were 2 Woodcock that were flushed for the group. A Peregrine chasing a feral dove (mainly white) and as it went in for the kill a second time disappeared behind a wood so we do not know what happened. The final highlight was when I went to flush 2 Stock Doves from a box a Barn Owl flew out instead. The day started well with a Raven throughout the morning there were a reasonable number of birds. Goldcrests were singing in every direction when we traversed a wood. They were found in other woods as well. Even 3 Skylarks put in an appearance as well as a few Meadow Pipits despite the cold frosty conditions. There were also plenty of Roe Deer and Fox sightings on the walk. A lovely day that did resemble the retreat from Moscow at times as about 50 were spread out along the Berril Valley however a good morning birding.
When I look back at the year I have recorded 76 species and that only includes one gull species; I think my recording was a bit lapse at times. Of course some of our uncommon species have flourished including Montague's Harrier, Stone Curlew, Whinchat, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Sonechat, Grasshopper Warbler and Barn Owl. It has been a very good year for breeding Barn and Tawny Owl as well as Kestrel. A highlight of the year was the Bio-blitz in June when we "did" the Warminster Range danger area for birds, plants and butterflies. Actually there have have been quite a few highlights including finding a Marsh Harrier in the centre of Imber in the summer and not content with one another was found a few weeks later. I will not go but instead wish a Happy New Year to everyone.
Follow us:
