Partridges

This morning I headed out early to Lamin's Lane before work, getting great unaided views of a Goldcrest feeding on the trunk of a tree near Andy's Coppice. A Nuthatch was singing near the Three Ponds and a pair of Mallard were again in the grounds of Woodside Liveries.

There was nothing too unusual along Lamin's Lane, but all the regular good birds were around, including both species of Partridge. A pair of Red-legged Partridge were in the field by Lamin's Plantation, and another pair were in the field opposite the first house. A pair of Grey Partridge were in the field to the north of the Golden Plover field (which all seem to have gone off to their breeding grounds now). At least one Lapwing chick was sticking close to its parent in the fallow field, and a couple of male Skylark were vying for territory, or the attentions of a nearby female. The hedgerows and overhead wires produced Common Whitethroat, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, and Yellowhammer, with a single Pied Wagtail in one of the nearby fields.

Heading back to the woodland, I got great scope views of a female Kestrel hovering over Lamin's Plantation, and a single Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over NNW. Three Swift were over, and plenty of Barn Swallow too. A pair of Blackcap were along the northern edge of Warren Hill Plantation and two House Martin were over Broad Valley Stables' Horse Paddock. The Bestwood Quarry area produced more Common Whitethroat, Linnet, and a male Kestrel, plus a pair of Willow Warbler on the hillside. In total, I recorded 41 species, which is the only time I've exceeded forty in one visit without visiting the Mill Lakes.