Doleham
27th November 2005, SundayWith a cold, cold wind sweeping across the level, the small birds were keeping quiet again, apart from thrushes. Blackbirds (38) were feeding along the lanes, joined by hungry Redwings (25) in the hawthorns. A few flocks of Fieldfares (20) and a handful (4) of Mistle Thrushes were also in circulation.
The shelter and feeding stations at Doleham Halt Cottages, is attracting higher numbers of House Sparrows (20) and Starlings (35) as well as Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Robins & a Nuthatch
The other focus of activity is in keep to the west of the Doleham stream, where black-faced sheep grazed turnips with at least 20 Pied Wagtails and 50 Starlings running beneath their feet. There were a couple of Meadow Pipits too and a Stonechat watching from the electric fence posts.
Further west, larger numbers of Starlings, Common Gulls, Woodpigeons and Lapwings were rising up when a Buzzard came into view.
4 more Stonechats were higher up the stream, with a rotund Little Owl watching them from the hedgerow.
Some management work has been carried out in the lower fields to hold back more water and top the Soft Rush. They are becoming more waterlogged but still attracting only a few Snipe. 10 Mallard & 12 Teal flew overhead and 3 Little Grebes were on the Brede – the only ones I’ve seen at this site this year.