Blackcap still around

Thursday 18 October 2012
Wonder if it is a summer bird hanging on or an over wintering bird recently arrived ?

The night camera went out again last night and, amongst the Hedgehogs and field mice was the short video below:

I cannot make up my mind between Mink and Polecat/Ferret cross. My experience is very limited - any thoughts out there?

Farmland walk

Thursday 11 October 2012

In spite of the weather I managed a three and a bit mile walk during a brief dry period without getting too wet. As well as the colour nof the hedgerow leaves and the variety of berries there was plenty to maintain interest. Along Hale Road a small covey of 8 Red-legged Partridges flew up from the edge of a newly cultified field and House Martins and Swallows were all over the place busily stoking up for their journey ahead. As I entered the footpath crossing the barren fields a party of about 30 Linnets took off and a couple of larger individuals on distant wires were probably Corn Buntings but too far away to be sure. Just about double figures of Skylarks amongst the brassicas (rape?) a bit further on. The footpath alongside Elm Brook can be a treasure and didn’t let me down with Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and a group of 7 Redpoll. Soon after that the rain returned so it was head down and hurry home.

New for Ewelme 2012

Tuesday 9 October 2012
With the apparent large movement of Jays around the country it was about time I found one at Ewelme and, like buses, another flew over me half an hour later at Millbrook Mead - Benson's only nature reserve. Many thanks to the Wallingford Green Gym who removed the cut material from the flower meadow down there.