Another late winter ‘FoD’ visit saw nine of us meeting up (many thanks to Keith for giving Jeanne a lift). It was a fine chorus that greeted us, numerous Song Thrush, Robin and a variety of tits singing and calling. Coal Tits and Nuthatches were seen down to ‘our level’ thanks to some seed. A Mistle Thrush was busy collecting moss from the upper branches of an oak, something insulating to add to its nest.
Out on the field we had good views of the flocks of Redwings along with the common thrushes. With a little patience and quiet stalking a couple of Hawfinch were located, unfortunately these birds were very secretive and refused to show for us. Great spotted Woodpecker was also noted.
We relocated to take in a walk up to Crabtree Hill, our first birds were a pair of Crossbill atop the larches, we had reasonable scope views before these birds dropped in to feed out of view. Goldcrest were singing in the firs and many pairs or small parties of Siskin were mobile as they flew over or stuck to the canopy. A trio of Redpoll stopped for a short time in the top of the trees but flew away before we could ‘scope’ them. The finches were not going to make it easy for us!
At the trig point we scanned the heath, our target bird was present as we watched the wintering Great Grey Shrike from a safe distance, this is a popular bird, I must thank everyone for accepting scope views only, we had left it the whole heath to hunt in peace. A Reed Buntings was also skulking in the gorse and grass before flying off over us. A distant Goshawk soared over the valley along with a Buzzard. Four Lapwing flew down the valley in the distance.
We wandered back to take in a refreshment and comfort stop in Parkend. A take out coffee and cake was followed by a walk through the woods and a search of the stream. The brook was in spate after heavy rain the day before, we couldn’t locate any Dippers but a Treecreeper gave us good views. Back at the car a flock of 6 Hawfinch flew over us and landed in the canopy, one or two showed through the branches until they all flew back over us and away.
Moving on to New Fancy View a female Goshawk flew across the road just after leaving the village but only for the driver (me), at the viewpoint it was rather busy with people so we went for another woodland walk with a few common species noted (a party of Raven the pick of the bunch) before we dropped in at the Cannop Valley. Grey Wagtails were about the ponds and a Cormorant came in.
Out in a nearby clearing we picked up a Sparrowhawk and another Crossbill flew up the valley. Back to the car for a short drive to the upper pond where we located Mandarins on the flood puddles in the woods and a Marsh Tit was added to the list. The weather was closing in with a heavy shower so we all decided to head home and take in Walmore Common on the way.
The ditches held a few Wigeon and Teal with Grey Heron and a pair of Mute Swans but the wintering Whooper Swans had probably moved on. We had run over on time getting back to Whitminster by 3pm, this concluded the extended half day out.
Thank you to all who joined me
Martin
Anserbirding 
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