TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2008
DOWN FARM STUBBLE FIELDS
At around 0930 hours, I relocated the LAPLAND BUNTING in the large stubble field adjacent to the footpath leading to Steps Hill opposite Pitstone Hill car park. It was present with a large flock of farmland birds, including 35 Skylarks, 15 CORN BUNTINGS, 63 Linnets, 18 Yellowhammers and 25+ Meadow Pipits and was very mobile. Once again, it was located by its distinctive flight note, a very twangy 'teuuu', repeated at regular intervals as it flew around the field with the other birds. Once it landed and I had a good idea where it was on the ground, I slowly crept up on it and managed to get some views on the ground, the bird being a typical first-winter or female, with a pale cream median crown-stripe, lightly streaked nape, paler 'tramlines' on its mantle, lightly streaked underparts and obvious white wingbars (formed by the creamish edges to the median and greater coverts). The sides of the head and face were plain and light chestnut-brown, accentuated by a thin black border. There was no black on the breast or reddish-brown in the nape. As I tried to get further views and closer, the Linnets and Skylarks flew up and the flock landed further away at cSP 956 150. I flushed it twice more and then left it, leaving the field at 1003 hours. I then contacted RBA, David Bilcock, Francis Buckle and Chaz Jackson, as well as Mike Collard. On the last time I flushed it, it uttered the longer 'trillipp' call, repeated in quick succession.
VIEWING INSTRUCTIONS: Park in Pitstone Hill car park and cross the road to follow the Ridgeway Path. Continue for 220 yards and look towards Down Farm and wait for the large flock of birds to fly up. It will be with the flock more often or not as they fly around and listen out for its very distinctive flight note. Otherwise, it is very difficult to locate.
IVINGHOE HILLS NR
Very quiet with few birds of note - passage very slight - 1 REDWING, 1 LESSER REDPOLL, 4 Chaffinches, 1 COMMON STONECHAT (SE of Beacon), Jay and 125 Goldfinches
DOWN FARM STUBBLE FIELDS
At around 0930 hours, I relocated the LAPLAND BUNTING in the large stubble field adjacent to the footpath leading to Steps Hill opposite Pitstone Hill car park. It was present with a large flock of farmland birds, including 35 Skylarks, 15 CORN BUNTINGS, 63 Linnets, 18 Yellowhammers and 25+ Meadow Pipits and was very mobile. Once again, it was located by its distinctive flight note, a very twangy 'teuuu', repeated at regular intervals as it flew around the field with the other birds. Once it landed and I had a good idea where it was on the ground, I slowly crept up on it and managed to get some views on the ground, the bird being a typical first-winter or female, with a pale cream median crown-stripe, lightly streaked nape, paler 'tramlines' on its mantle, lightly streaked underparts and obvious white wingbars (formed by the creamish edges to the median and greater coverts). The sides of the head and face were plain and light chestnut-brown, accentuated by a thin black border. There was no black on the breast or reddish-brown in the nape. As I tried to get further views and closer, the Linnets and Skylarks flew up and the flock landed further away at cSP 956 150. I flushed it twice more and then left it, leaving the field at 1003 hours. I then contacted RBA, David Bilcock, Francis Buckle and Chaz Jackson, as well as Mike Collard. On the last time I flushed it, it uttered the longer 'trillipp' call, repeated in quick succession.
VIEWING INSTRUCTIONS: Park in Pitstone Hill car park and cross the road to follow the Ridgeway Path. Continue for 220 yards and look towards Down Farm and wait for the large flock of birds to fly up. It will be with the flock more often or not as they fly around and listen out for its very distinctive flight note. Otherwise, it is very difficult to locate.
IVINGHOE HILLS NR
Very quiet with few birds of note - passage very slight - 1 REDWING, 1 LESSER REDPOLL, 4 Chaffinches, 1 COMMON STONECHAT (SE of Beacon), Jay and 125 Goldfinches
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