Snow Bunting at Aylburton

Sunday 11th November 2012

Snow Bunting

The Snow Bunting was still at Aylburton Warth this morning, and showing nicely in the sunshine on a cracking, still and clear morning. No sign of yesterday's Lapland Bunting, but a Lesser Redpoll, two Rock Pipits and four Pied Wagtails were among the morning's list, also two Brown Hares.

I stopped off at Hawling this afternoon where a Short-eared Owl was perched on a wall, also c600 Jackdaws and c100 Carrion Crows were going west to roost at 4.40pm.

In the garden, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker has been a regular visitor (and a male has also been seen recently on one occasion), and a Coal Tit is now a regular. Chaffinch number build as the Autumn marches towards Winter, with 18 yesterday and seven Greenfinches. A pair of Blue Tits were investigating the nest box yesterday, hopefully they'll use it in the Spring.  My garden Spindle, Euonymus europaeus, looks spectacular this Autumn, the best it has ever looked - absolutely laden with fruits.

Spindle, Euonymus europaeus

My Dad's garden at Brockworth always attracts a good number of House Sparrows; he had 25 during the week.