Back to patch

I awoke this morning to the sound of Pink-Footed Geese, the first skein was of about 100 birds, followed by a further two skeins with about 70 birds in each. This had been the most Pinkies I'd heard moving through so far this year.


There was a few jobs which needed to be done in the morning, so I didn't get down to Holywell till mid-afternoon. Heading down the track a lot of movement could be seen in the top feeding station, I lifted my bins to find a male Tree Sparrow on the feeder, this was a first for me in the area of the pond. They winter in the fields surrounding the dene, but rarely come into the feeding station. Checking the board in the hide, up to four have been seen.


The sun shining on the North wood was making the most of the Autumnal colours, covering the reeds in a golden glow.

70 Pink-Footed Geese flew overhead and landed in the east fields, hopefully this is the start of more to come. The pond seems to be devoid of wildfowl with only the Mute Swan family, 10 Teal, 8 Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 7 Moorhen and 1 male Tufted Duck. 2 Grey Heron stalked the shallow waters to the west, and a large number of Gulls bathed on the pond. the female Sparrowhawk put in an appearance flushing 100+ Lapwing from the Public Hide, as sending the Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Coal Tit, and Great Tit into cover.


As I left a Common Buzzard flew into a Hawthorn to the West and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker fed on the nut feeder.


Good to be back on patch.