More Winter Birds

A walk along the Maxey Cut from the Helpston road this morning revealed still more fieldfare and redwing - pushed out of northern and central Europe by the winter weather. Small flocks were constantly in view as they forage for food in the hawthorn either side of the cut - a total of about 100 fieldfare and 50 redwing.

There was also plenty to view along the Helpston Road itself, with a mixed flock of lapwing (150) and golden plover (100) feeding in a ploughed field, along with a large, dark brown buzzard sitting oddly in the middle of the field for some time before flying up into a road-side tree. There was a stonechat too in the hedgerow along the road, with a small group of yellowhammer.

All very characteristic of the advancing winter!

Richard