Nethergong Birding

Birding on Saturday at Nethergong produced 23 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 2 Raven, 8 Skylark, c150 House Martin, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Long tailed Tit, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Treecreeper. I was surprised when scanning the fields to see the adult Common Crane walking around still. Not wanting to flush it, I remained distant and enjoyed watching this rare bird while it is around. There were also 3 Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Siskin, 1 Yellowhammer but best of all, 2 Coal Tit (131) were seen well and photographed in with a Long tailed Tit flock. This is only the second record of this species I have seen here in six years. Back on Sunday for another walk around in cloudy but still conditions produced 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Common Crane watched flying in from the Stour Valley before landing out in the fields, also 1 Kingfisher, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 5 Jay, 20 Skylark, 2 House Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 7 Long tailed Tit, 10 Redwing, 3 Stonechat, 14 Meadow Pipit, 163 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 5 Siskin, 5 Yellowhammer and 6 Reed Bunting. I decided to leave the recorder going in the fields during my visit on Sunday which captured quite a few species but despite not seeing one on the visit, Grey Wagtail was heard a few times calling. 'Nocmig' recording during the past week produced 1 Bittern over calling, Barn and Tawny Owls as well as increasing numbers of Redwing now arriving. 

Coal Tit 

Peregrine Falcon 

Bittern 

'Distant' Common Crane at dawn