Return to Langley Vale Farm


It was a novelty to be treading on soft mud and looking up into trees after a few weeks on the shingle. I returned to Langley Vale Farm this morning mainly to undertake a bird survey, although I was heartened to see some of the field edges had been 'ploughed' (above). Whether this has been done for the benefit of the 'arable weeds' I do not know.

Today's big news (on a local level) was the presence of a Marsh Tit in Little Hurst Wood, one of several small woods to be found on the farm. I watched (and heard) it for maybe ten minutes and can honestly say that I derived as much pleasure from this bird as I did from kicking up a Dusky Warbler on the beach at Dungeness last month.

Other highlights included 150+ Fieldfare, 50+ Redwing, 3 Little Owl, 20+ Skylark, 5 Pheasant, 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Common Buzzard. I have come across good flocks of finches here in previous winters, so hope that regular observation will pay off.

Comments

Derek Faulkner said…
Ah, nothing like your local patch, good to see you back.
22 November 2015 at 18:45
Simon Douglas Thompson said…
I'm just such a rubbish birdwatcher compared to the experts
22 November 2015 at 19:10
Steve Gale said…
Thanks Derek, we need to cherish what we have on our doorstep!
22 November 2015 at 19:53
Steve Gale said…
Simon! There is no such thing as a rubbish birdwatcher. You can attain experience through time spent out in the field, and even then ability is a much overrated aspect. If you enjoy your birding, regardless of anything else, then you are a winner!
22 November 2015 at 19:55
Derek Faulkner said…
Couldn't agree more Steve, many of those so-called "experts" wouldn't have a clue in the countryside without a pager telling them where a bird was and a sat-nav telling them how to get there. Learning about common birds and their habitat is just as important as twitching your way around..
23 November 2015 at 05:41
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