Woodoaks Farm and Heronsgate

Following the footpath through the farm I arrived at the Old Orchard where a Red Kite was observed in a dead tree.

Then walking through Lady-walk Wood and crossing the footbridge that spans the M25 motorway I continued along the footpath finally reaching the Heronsgate side of the farm. On the ploughed field 3 Northern Wheatear were observed with one individual briefly landing on a fencepost.

I then continued towards Heronsgate where I noted 2 Whinchat on the fence line of the meadow while in the long grass a pair of Red Fox relaxed lazily before being flushed.

I then returned back to the farm via the footpath running from Shepherds Lane, Mill End where I observed a Eurasian Hobby hawking insects overhead. Then on reaching the manure pile another Whinchat was noted briefly before disappearing from view along an overgrown margin of the field. Further along the track a Large White Butterfly was busily drinking nectar from a Sow-thistle.

Species of interest observed  as follows:-
Red Kite (2), Common Kestrel (female), Eurasian Hobby (1), Black-headed Gull (c200), Lesser Black-backed Gull (15), Collared Dove (80), Green Woodpecker (2), Common Skylark (1), Barn Swallow (1), Meadow Pipit (1), Northern Wheatear (3), Whinchat (3), House Sparrow (25), Common Chiffchaff (2), Eurasian Jay (2).
Mammals:-
Red Fox (2), Rabbit.

  

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

A brief late afternoon visit provided the following species of note:-
Little Grebe (4), Greylag Goose (73 Lynsters Farm), Egyptian Goose (4 Lynsters Farm), Northern Shoveler (30), Green Sandpiper (1), Common Kingfisher (1), Common Chiffchaff (3).

Woodoaks Farm

I conducted an afternoon visit around Woodoaks Farm following the footpath up towards Beechen Dell and Mill End returning back past the Heronsgate side of the farm. It was here I noted a single Northern Wheatear feeding on the ploughed field while opposite 2 Whinchat posed on the fence line bordering the meadow. Returning back towards the farm buildings 80 Collared Dove were noted in the Old Orchard while 5 Red Kite, C200 Black-headed Gull and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull were observed following the plough. Reaching the Old Black Barn I happened across a female Sparrowhawk present at a kill notably a Collared Dove and managed to reel off a few shots with the camera.         

A full list of species observed as follows;
Red Kite (5), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (2), Black-headed Gull (c200), Lesser Black-backed Gull (10), Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (80), Green Woodpecker (1), Barn Swallow (15), House Martin (22), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Whinchat (2), Northern Wheatear (1), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (2), Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (2), Yellowhammer (2), Common Reed Bunting (1).

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A brief late afternoon visit in sunny, hot conditions produced the following species of note:-
Common Buzzard (2), Red Kite (1), Eurasian Hobby (1).
Approaching the pudding stone a Common Frog was noted in the long grass.

 

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A late afternoon visit in mild conditions provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (3), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (Lynsters G.P), Greylag Goose (1 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (1 Lynsters Farm), Eurasian Wigeon (1 Lynsters G.P), Gadwall (4), Common Teal (4), Mallard (10), Northern Shoveler (19), Common Pochard (8), Tufted Duck (16), Common Buzzard (2 Lynsters Farm), Eurasian Hobby (1), Common Moorhen (10), Eurasian Coot (42), Black-headed Gull (1), Stock Dove (4 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon, Common Kingfisher (1), Green Woodpecker (2 immatures on the cricket field), Wren, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Blackcap (1), Common Chiffchaff (1), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (c20), Carrion Crow.