A Jay flying over the woodsInspired by Tim Hodges' photo of a Hawfinch at Reculver (see link below) I headed off to Trosley Country park to look for some.
http://www.kentos.org.uk/Reculver/February2008.htm
As it was such a lovely morning I got up to the escarpment for sunrise and spent over four hours wandering around the woods as far as Whitehorse Wood that borders onto Holly Hill. Initially the birding was hard going but gradually things fell into place and finally at 0845 a Hawfinch was spotted sitting atop of a tree bold as brass but silent. It flew to some neighbouring trees and showed well for a few minutes before flying off and out of sight. Other good birds seen were a pair of Marsh Tit, several Great spots and Nuthatches. A pair of Sparrowhawk were 'pished' in and gave good views whilst lower down the slopes viewing from Paddlesworth Lane a Common Buzzard was seen being mobbed by a Crow before flying towards Trotiscliffe. A fantastic morning, the Hawfinch being the proverbial needle in the haystack but one is better than none!
http://www.kentos.org.uk/Reculver/February2008.htm
As it was such a lovely morning I got up to the escarpment for sunrise and spent over four hours wandering around the woods as far as Whitehorse Wood that borders onto Holly Hill. Initially the birding was hard going but gradually things fell into place and finally at 0845 a Hawfinch was spotted sitting atop of a tree bold as brass but silent. It flew to some neighbouring trees and showed well for a few minutes before flying off and out of sight. Other good birds seen were a pair of Marsh Tit, several Great spots and Nuthatches. A pair of Sparrowhawk were 'pished' in and gave good views whilst lower down the slopes viewing from Paddlesworth Lane a Common Buzzard was seen being mobbed by a Crow before flying towards Trotiscliffe. A fantastic morning, the Hawfinch being the proverbial needle in the haystack but one is better than none!
The Hawfinch, always a cracking though sometimes difficult bird to see.
Raptors were not too photogenic as with this Sparrowhawk
A Marsh Tit was very vocal and showy at times
The Buzzard (honest)
