Not only cold, snow and blow wind blow but also very quiet too.
Set out from Five Oak Green at 0840, an easterly blowing force 1-2 but freshening later 3-4 with occasional lengthy snow flurries.
Chaffinch was just about the only song today. First bird heard upon leaving the car. House Sparrow, Blackbird and Fieldfare all seen within a couple of minutes. Crow and Woodpigeon over head with a Robin sitting quietly on the wind free side of a hedge along with a couple of Goldfinch.
Across Moat Farm a Dunnock sang briefly and gave up. Jackdaw and Starling were the other birds seen on the south side of the orchard. After this the rest of the journey through the orchard was very quiet indeed. Very few Fieldfare were around, occasionally sitting atop a tree here and there but im guessing mostly gone by now.
Reaching the north side of the orchard I could see the usual large gathering of Corvids in the field, so Rook was added to the list here. The Corvid flock totalled around 120 birds in the eastern field. At the far end of this field, some distance, sat a flock of around 40 Fieldfare with a few Chaffinch mixed in but no apparent Redwing.
Moving on the fields were silent. Upon reaching the gravel pits there seemed less birds, though possibly just a bit more scattered around.
63 Coot, 30 Cormorant, 12 Shoveller, 54 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 8 or 9 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 41 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 47 Teal, 63 Black Headed Gull, 4 Herring Gull flying over, 4 Grey Heron.
A Magpie appeared by a small copse and a Green Woodpecker in the distance. Bullfinch calling and one bright male showed well here. A Moorhen crept along a bank.
The return journey commenced with a flock of Long Tail Tit. A Skylark was disturbed at the edge of the field.
I took a different route back but this produced nothing, not one single bird.
Reaching the exit point of the orchard 2 Redwing finally appeared along with 2 Blue Tit and some Collared Doves. A nice flock of 25 Goldfinch colourfully finished the journey.
Back at car 1100.
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