Spent the morning checking round the new FAUNA (Fairfield Association Urban Nature Area), a corner of the parish that I don't visit often enough.
This area has a good track record for attracting passage migrants, and today it held 4 wheatears, a female redstart, and my first tree pipit of the year. The pipit announced itself with a strident 'spizz' and briefly dropped into the tallest tree in the orchard area.
TP is a welcome addition to my all-time Fairfield list which, over the years, has included such goodies as wood warbler, a late autumn pied flycatcher and waxwing.
Migrants aside, the most encouraging sign that the FAUNA management is working was the presence of a male lapwing throughout my visit.
One or two pairs of lapwings used to hold territory here up until about twelve years ago. This is the first one I've seen here in several springs, in what is now eminently suitable habitat.
In mammal news, three young fox cubs were a pretty sight.
DH.
Steve here,
Had a stroll about this afternoon starting at the orchard, a
female Reed Bunting present and there is also a good colony of House Sparrows.
Freeman’s Pool saw 2 Comm Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper along with 2 LRP. On
the marsh next to walled meadow was Whimbrel 2 and Wheatear 4. Many warblers
singing, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and
Chiffchaff. A Stoat showed well all be it brief. The afternoon sun brought out
a few butterflies Orange Tip including white females, Peacock, Red Admiral,
Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood.
SW
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