THE DOWNS: A walk around the downs north of Sompting, around Steep Down and Titch Hill, included an encounter with the
QUAIL
found by the Steep Down north path the previous day, which gave an
unexpected and rather good flight view, as well as a few bursts of song.
Just as good was a brood of nine
Shelducks, with both parents, on the Lychpole Farm 'wetland'. A rather late
Yellow Wagtail called as it flew over and two
Mistle Thrushes rattled as they flew by. 10
Corn Buntings included several in song and other birds included a
Bullfinch, a singing
Meadow Pipit, a
Stonechat, three
Kestrels, a
Sparrowhawk and good numbers of
Whitethroats and
Skylarks. A
Cormorant flew over.
|
female Shelduck with young near Lychpole Farm |
|
female Shelduck with young near Lychpole Farm; not quite enough room for no.9! |
|
adult male Kestrel along Lambley's Lane |
David Campbell