Lollingdon

Overcast, 7°, light SW.

An interesting time out at Lollingdon today. Firstly as I was making my way up the hill I noticed a Red Kite fly off and drop something on the track. By the time I got to the location, whatever it was had gone!

I moved further up the track approx. 50m and stood in cover and watched. Around 5 minutes later a Brown Rat appeared on the track. It was obviously injured, presumably by the Kite. I could see a couple of Carrion Crow in the trees taking an interest when suddenly a Buzzard swooped down, grabbed the Rat and flew off with it.

A flock of around 200 Fieldfare feeding on the hill and a Finch/Bunting flock feeding in a shelter crop. Mainly Linnet and Chaffinch with 5 Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting and a handful of Goldfinch, probably more but could not see it all.

A single Corn Bunting in song to the south of the hill.

Around midday a group of shooters arrived and started banging away nearby. Time to leave, too noisy, wildlife running and flying scared and also I don’t like shooters!

Closer to the village a female Sparrowhawk hunting near the Bullshole and several Redwing and 2 Mistle Thrush nearby.

A couple of Treecreeper heard in song this morning, a Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming and a vocal Green Woodpecker noted. Signs of spring? We shall wait and see!

Mammals: Roe Deer, Muntjac Deer, Brown Rat and Brown Hare.




from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2020/01/lollingdon.html

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