Visit by RSPB Project Officer on 4th June 2009

Today's walk round the farm:

First birds seen were two juvenile Pied Wagtails being fed by one of the parents. At the farm the Swallows were busy feeding their young. The House Martins have built nests on the farm house and 6 birds were seen hunting insects over one of the fields. House Sparrows were chirping noisily in the outbuildings. Then it was onto the hide to check on the progress of the Lapwings. There was just one pair left in the "hide" field and they obviously had young as they were getting a bit agitated on my approach but all the other Lapwings had disappeared. Next it was on to Broadgate Wood which was a lot quieter than last visit but some birds were still singing including Mistle Thrush, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Chiffchaff and Treecreeper. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called. 4 juvenile Mallards stayed motionless on Winsnape Brook until danger (i.e. me) had passed. The fields beyond the wood were a riot of buttercups and, in the sunshine, Painted Lady butterflies and a Small White were nectaring on the flowers. Just one Lapwing, one Redshank and one Curlew were seen in the far field.