The cold snap has continued which brings the water meadows into its own as the River Piddle flows through the pools keeping most unfrozen. As a result the Geese graze on the surrounding fields in good numbers, Egyptian, Canada, Greylag and a Swan x Greylag hybrid make up the species list. I am hopeful that something else might get drawn in with the masses! I have had White-fronted Geese both Decembers since I moved to the area will this year be a third?!
Bird of the day was on the flooded fields where the River Piddle runs through Athelhampton. A Black Tailed Godwit which is the second record for the year. Getting pictures was tricky as the bird had the sun behind it. It seemed quite content to feed and wash up despite a couple of Lapwing taking exception to it which gave an opportunity for some flight pictures!
I moved up to Waterbarn cottages early afternoon to check on a couple of the feeding stations and mixed seed fields where the finches and Yellowhammer have been hanging out. There was nothing unusual amongst the mixed flock. Taking advantage of the regular windfall of seed was Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Linnet, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird!
I am currently on 99 species for the year on the farm and with temperatures plummeting again tonight will tomorrow be the day where the years 100 target is met. Time will tell!
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