Workmans Lane, Warsash

Sunday 29 September

Last opportunity for some local birding before setting off to Spain in two days time. Up at the top of Workmans Lane at the other end of the village by 10.10 and then down to the horse fields.  Very little to see on the way down other than a group of fifteen Carrion Crows and six Woodpigeons feeding on the grass in the field on the right.  Approaching the entrance to the horse field a Jay flew across the road in front of me and then moved on to the trees at the bottom of the horse field.  Meanwhile, a very large flock of Starlings flitting around the area and by the time I was walking the bottom track I was able to count at least two hundred individuals.  A Robin was happily singing and displaying to my right.

Once near the donkey paddock I was able to check on the Carrion Crow numbers both sides of the track and able to add at least seventy more plus an overflying Jackdaw.  At the far corner of the paddock a pair of Stonechats and in the horse enclosure on the opposite side of the track at least forty individuals in the feeding Linnet flock.

A few of the Linnet Carduleis cannabina flock

Continuing and taking a left turn to follow the footpath four Barn Swallows flew past me heading towards the coast and, on the opposite side near the pond, a trio if Egyptian Geese feeding at the back of the field.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Finally a single Magpie before continuing on to Hook Lane.  An enjoyable walk back to the car through the trees then open fields but nothing new to add to the sightings albeit a further four Magpies.  Becoming very windy but "Merlin" managed to identify a further five species during the walk from the entrance to the horse field; namely Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail and Rook.

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Robin, Stonechat, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet.

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