Kilmeston with Hampshire Ornithologial Society

Yellowhammers Emberiza citrinella

26 March 2026

Fifteen of us present for the Hampshire Ornithological Society's (HOS) latest meeting under the leadership of Nick Willey, stating a clockwise circuit of the fields and woods around the quaint little village of Kilmeston  just south of Alresford.  Whilst still in the village sightings of Blackbird, Robin, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Rook before setting off at 10.30 on our 3 mile circuit concluding at 2pm following a picnic lunch.

The first path heading northwards produced many Chiffchaff and Chaffinches along with a Bullfinch, Blue and Great Tits.  In the adjoining fields we continued to find many Pheasants plus a few Carrion Crows.  A Kestrel was resting atop a nearby tree and then we were out in the open and able to search the edges and skies.  A Raven flew over to or left and high ahead of us a Red Kite. A Magpie flew over the distant trees.  But best of all, we found a quartet of Yellowhammers and just a shame they seemed like silhouettes, given that we were facing the Sun and the birds were partially hidden by the branches of the trees in which they were settle.

Yellowhammers Emberiza citrinella

Moving on we stopped to watch a couple of Blackbirds and a Song Thrush and then the handful of Blackbirds foraging near a water trough at the bottom the field in front of us and noticed that there was both a Mistle Thrush and Starling present.  Maintaining of observation we then saw a dozen Redwing slightly further to their right which came as a bit of a surprise!

Moving on to the next path we spent some time checking the fields in front of us and apart from more Pheasants found a handful of Lapwing being harried by the Carrion Crows.  A Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" close by and a female Stonechat sat on the fence just ahead of the group. Checking the nearby fields we found or first, distant and not too clear, Red-legged Partridge. And off to the right a pair of Stock Doves feeding alongside a couple of Woodpigeon.  Above us a quartet of circling Buzzards and yet another Kestrel not so faraway.  The small copse at the turn in the track we walking revealed both Nuthatch and both Blue and Great Tits. A Jay flew over. 

The next stretch of path between tall hedges either side produced a handful of Long-tailed Tits and as we looked round the corner into a field a Marsh Tit was recorded in the hedge.  More Chaffinches continuing to be seen but almost all very high in the trees.  Fortunately, the next stop led to as finding a much nearer and clearer Red-legged Partridge.

Distant preening Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

In addition to the birds, as well as a few Grey Squirrels we came across a trio of distant Roe Deer and then a much nearer individual later on.  Lovely to see a couple of Brown Hares, the first on the open grass and very close where it remained for a long spell giving excellent views before making its departure.  All in all an excellent morning's birding in great company and lovely birding weather.

Birds seen:

Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer.

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