WEDNESDAY 9 FEBRUARY
CHAFFINCH HOUSE, LITTLE CHALFONT (BUCKS)
Two LESSER REDPOLLS joined the 10 or so Goldfinches feeding on the Nyger feeders this morning - the first in the garden this year. One was a nice male.
BRAMFIELD (HERTFORDSHIRE) (TL 291 156)
Bramfield Woods were once a traditional site for HAWFINCH in Hertfordshire and flocks of up to 25 could once be found in winter. In Bramfield Churchyard yesterday morning, Graham Knight discovered three of these beautiful finches and when myself, Mick Frosdick, David Booth and others visited this morning, they were fortunately still present.
Some superb 'scope views were obtained as all three birds perched in the tall trees bordering the footpath within the churchyard - an adult male and two females. As management work was going on inside the churchyard and a bonfire was burning, the three birds were reluctant to stay and after dropping down into the dense evergreen trees within the yard, repeatedly flew off east towards Bramfield House and Priest Wood. I had a couple more brief views of the birds perched up in tall trees by Bramfield House before they were all disturbed by a passing Sparrowhawk.
The village was surprisingly productive for birds with Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 18 Goldfinches, 4 Meadow Pipits, Common Buzzard, 2 Nuthatches, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Wren, 15 Redwing and 4 Goldcrests noted.
THE KIMPTON AND WHITWELL AREA (HERTS)
Rather disconcertingly, again no sign of the pair of Common Ravens that have successfully bred in the area for the last six years. Other pairs I have looked at in the past week are busily displaying and carrying sticks in to the nest so it looks as though the birds have deserted or have been killed.
A single Red Kite was noted, 4 Common Buzzards and the regular pair of EGYPTIAN GEESE at Kimpton Mill.
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