A superb example of truly mixed woodland in Herefordshire, with a diverse range of tree species and complex woodland structure. Hawfinch pair in breeding habitat, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming and calling, singing Crossbills flew and a Siskin pair were nest building. Fabulous! #UKBirding
Conservation grazing in action! A few of the small herd of White Park cattle at a Herefordshire 'wilding' landholding, who are helping to shape a developing mosaic of wood pasture, scrub and grassland. Equipped with the ubiquitous NoFence collar system.
A beautiful example of NVC W17b woodland in a valley below Mynydd Pen-y-fâl, not far from the source of the Afon Cibi. Abundant standing deadwood, Bilberry dominated field layer, with bryophytes forming thick mats below, and epiphytic ferns and bryophytes clinging to the Sessile Oaks - stunning!
Would a submission detailing a day's events rather than a single find be an eligible entry?
Has anyone recorded variation in Goldcrest morphology? This autumn, I have noticed a few birds which have been noticeably bulkier and longer-winged. I wonder if this might be geographical variation (ie Scandis) but I haven't manged to find in any literature. Thoughts? #Ornithology #UKBirding
Jammy!!! Top work, good to know it's still in the area.
Good soil.
A dung beetle hole in a pile of shit
Ok so the argument that farmers are against nature has been blown out of the water this week.
In Jan’ there were already 295,000 hectares of land taken out of production for nature recovery, over 3million hectares where the farmers are actively looking at improving their soil and 32,000 agreements
Chaffinch and Reed Bunting flock
Great to see a 2ha plot of wild bird cover crop locally, seeded with millet, linseed, mustard, sunflower and kale. Packed with birds: 230 Linnet, 170 Chaffinch, 30 Greenfinch & 2 Reed Bunt, all feeding on the array of seeds, showing how valuable these cover crops can be to farmland birds. #UKBirding
Thanks Kevin, I'll direct message you now.
Fantastic, thanks very much for that Claire.
Does anyone know of any Tree Sparrow nest box/pulli ringing projects? I'm already in contact with Matt Prior from the Wiltshire project. I'm currently doing research into Tree Sparrows using nest boxes and would really like to to hear other people's experiences. Thanks! #UKBirding #Ornithology
Good numbers of warblers on patch Marcle Ridge in Herefs yesterday with @danwebb.bsky.social, presumably Scandinavian birds brought down by the heavy mist and north-easterlies with 21 Chiff, 6 Willow (inc 4 ads) and a cracking 1cy Grasshopper Warbler skulking in the long vegetation. Magic! #PWC2024
Whinchat
Another brilliant week for migration on my patch, Marcle Ridge in Herefordshire with @danwebb.bsky.social. Highlights 29 Stonechat, 9 Tree Pipit, 6 Wheatear, 6 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 3 Yellow Wag, 3 Willow Warb and 2 Spot Fly, as well as the first #vismig Grey Wag and mipits of the Autumn. #UKBirding
Willow Warb
Tree Pipit
Excellent birding on my local patch in Herefordshire this week with @danwebb.bsky.social, with great early autumn #vismig as well as grounded migrants. Highlights 134(!) Tree Pipit, 9 Spot Fly, 9 Stonechat, 7 Willow Warb, 4 Yellow Wag, 2 Whinchat and 1 LRP as well as good hirundine passage. #PWC2024
Good to see you on here mate👍
Hoping for some good thrush vismig, perhaps with a few scarcities too. But like Dan, can't wait for the woodies to get going!!
Lovely to get mipits again! Good point re scandi, maybe failed breeders? Its an interesting passage wherever they're coming from.
That's very interesting. Inland England doesn't seem to be getting many at all but seems to be a few moving through Scotland. I saw Ferry Hills in Fife is getting a fair few through. Perhaps these east Scotland birds are Scandi birds?