Ashes Wood, Netherfield
26th February 2005, SaturdayAshes Wood:
0915-1145; 8/8 cold N3
A cold, grey, still morning with just Chaffinches and Great Tits providing the song until the sun came out about 1030. Rarity of thrush song indicated much reduced numbers of Song Thrush, Blackbird and Robin. Bullfinches are fewer as well, though a flock of 20+ Siskins was buzzing in the treetops by the bridge, with a few Redpolls further west.
Marsh Tits have begun to move back into the wood, 10 being seen, while Coal Tits were singing lustily once the sun came out. 2 Yellowhammers were back on territory too, but not yet singing.
With much of the mill pond frozen, the 11 Moorhens were crowded into a little patch in the middle, along with 6 Gadwall.
Cliff Dean