BIRDS....
As I mentioned in my previous post once the saga of the shed
was solved I managed to get out for a spot of bird watching.
I'd been reading on the local bird reports that a few
migrants had turned up around Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire so decided to
take a look.
It was chilly and
rather blustery (as it invariably is
around the beacon) with some long sunny
periods between the rather dark and threatening clouds. I soon located the
birds exactly where they had been reported to be, unfortunately I came upon
them rather abruptly and they took flight and went into hiding in the nearby
bushes. I thought if it's good enough for them it's good enough for me and concealed
myself as best I could with a good view over the area where the birds had been.
I didn't have to wait long before they returned affording good if a little
distant views.
 |
| Male Stonechat |
 |
| Female Stonechat |
 |
| Juvenile Stonechat |
 |
| Stonechat Female or Juvenile? |
 |
| Wheatear |
And finally.... a lifer for me, a Female Whinchat
Amongst some
of the more common birds I saw where a large charm of Goldfinch feeding on
thistle heads, a large flock of Meadow Pipits feeding in a recently tilled
field, a Green Woodpecker and a hunting Kestrel. Also on the wing were Speckled
Wood, Red Admiral and Small Heath butterflies.
All in all an
enjoyable, if rather blustery, few hours birding.
