I missed last weekend completely as a sinus infection started to take hold. I had planned on either looking for Hawfinches, following the large invasion over recent weeks, going to Tyttenhanger for the Great White Egret, plus several other good birds, and then meeting up with Colin the next day and doing Norfolk. Colin was quite keen, mainly, as it turned out, because he has changed his car and wanted to show it off, but by then I was too ill to consider it.
Ive still got a bad cough, feeling tired and very bunged up, but at least I am mobile. Been back at work for a few days and managed to survive that, so this morning felt like getting a bit of fresh air.
There were a couple of big Hawfinch roosts at Danemead and Broxbourne Woods last night but I decided to try Bramfield Church as a few are present again this winter.
Turned out to be a good move as shortly after I arrived, a couple of guys up from London told me that they hadn't seen any birds at either roost. The Church yard has had a bit of work done since I was last here and the big limes have been severely pruned, so it is a lot more open now.
The usual birds were present-lots of vocal Nuthatches, a few Coal, Blue and Great Tits, some Goldcrests and Long Tailed Tits and Lots of Jackdaws and Rooks. Redwings seemed to be flying over on a regular basis, maybe 50 at a time, with a few Fieldfare and Song Thrush among them.
Two Hawfinches were eventually located, in one of the trees in the adjacent garden. They sat up in the tree for quite some time before the male flew west towards the woods. The female remained for a while then flew into the vicarage opposite. Some time later, it or another flew out and over the church and presumably also into the woods.
Luckily I got to see Colin and was able to try out his new car- he's downsized from a Murrano to a Macan, which is a lot more economical to run. And a bit more stylish and upmarket.
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