That Was OK

Some sunshine this morning for a change and it was nice to see blue skies. I kept things local and enjoyed a fairly decent if not wildly exciting day out.

Gadwall with Tufted Ducks and Buzzard.

Having got the bus down to Weldon I began by checking out the A43 pond where about ten Gadwall and half a dozen Tufted Ducks were the highlight. Moving on to Willowbrook Industrial Estate brought the hoped for Stonechat, a nice male near to the old Rockingham Speedway. Other species in the area included Meadow Pipits and Skylarks while small numbers of both Redwing and Fieldfare were seen.

Sparrowhawk and Goldfinch.

Nearby on the fringes of Priors Hall a male Sparrowhawk posed nicely though his presence was clearly upsetting the local Jays. A Raven was heard pruk prukking as it flew towards Brookfield while both kites and buzzards showed well. Priors Hall was not exactly jumping with birdlife with just a few small flocks of Siskins being seen around the ponds. At the quarry lake half a dozen Pochards were the highlights, there was little else to report.

Obliging Red Kite.

Pleasant sunshine once the obligatory Sunday rain shower had passed on encouraged me to have a look for any lingering Common Darters but I drew a blank, not too surprising given the recent frosts. Of the other wildlife noted several Fallow Deer and a Brown Hare were the pick.