Lower Healey 12.10.08

[Neil Southworth]

Went to Lower Healey in the hope of finding Redwing and Fieldfare but none had arrived. Certainly there is an abundance of berries awaitng their visit, but I presume that is also the case further north, which is therefore slowing their progress south. A lone Mistle Thrush sitting atop a Hawthorn may well have been anxiously scanning the horizon fearful of the imminent threat to its larder from invading Scandinavian hordes. One or two Song Thrushes in the hedgerows threatened to deceive but not for long. Long-tailed Tits were both active and noisy as a flock of at least 12 birds circled the area. A party of 3 or 4 Goldcrests seemed more intent on chasing each other than on feeding.

On the water 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Coot, a Moorhen and 20+ Mallard enjoyed the sun, which was strong enough to awaken a few Speckled Woods.

Other birds around included several Rook and Magpie, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. A flock of around 10 Lapwing flew south.