A heavy shower of rain greeted my early walk this morning, but only a gentle wind accompanying it, this made me head for the woods but not before checking on the Hereford Cattle herd who are munching on the rough grasses and scrub in the fields just behind the Learning Centre.
The Woods were alive with the calls of Goldcrests, their high pitched squeak making me look upwards into the bare branches of Horse Chestnut where the thin pointed beak was silhouetted against the grey sky before they moved to the twigs of Elms which are still covered with yellowing leaves. My best view however was as 3 Goldcrests stopped for a few moments in the dark green needles of the Yew allowing the wing flashes and stripe head to be seen.
Near the Castle a Firecrest spotted in the Sycamore with a Chiffchaff alongside, the considerable size difference easily seen. Overhead flocks of hundreds of Wood Pigeons were flying, part of the mass migration of many thousands that takes place at this time of year.
Other overhead migrants included Siskin and Redpoll, plus both Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. A little later 3 Pied Wagtails landed on the grass ahead of me, tails bobbing as they walked.
At sea a flock of 30 Brent Geese headed east and 2 Mediterranean Gulls showed below the cliffs as did a Peregrine Falcon as it dashed by.
Further records included a Merlin that dashed past, and a Little Egret passing by, however so far no sign of either the Pallas’ Warbler or the Leach’s Petrels that turned up during yesterdays storms.
Returning towards the Centre Redwings ‘seeping’ across the sky, then landing with a glimpse of red amongst the Hawthorn bushes.
The calls of Bullfinches enabled me to spot these fantastic birds in amongst the Hazels