Wednesday 14th. December 2011 ( Part 2 )

Walking back along the road towards the car , the Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush were still arguing and this time the smell of the fallen fruit was strong . Usually the Winter Thrushes are gorging themselves , but just the few Fieldfares were around . As I reached the car , I heard the short contact call of a Fieldfare , but it was coming from deep within the vegetation . Then it flew up and started to

eat Haws , high in a tree , and straight into the sun , but it was the best that I had managed since I arrived . As I waited and hoped that it would move to a spot where there weren't several branches infront of it , I heard another call from across the road , this too came from deep within vegetation . I manage to spot this one , sitting motionless . Eventually , having digested it's previous meal , and

getting rid of the waste , it emerged to get a refill . Being on the other side of the road , the sun was

behind me and showing the bird in all it's glory . It stayed feeding and hiding for another 20 minutes or so , giving more good photo opportunities and the closest that I have ever managed to get to the species without some form of cover , until an alarm call from the other side of the road , and both birds departed , heading for the orchard . Well worth the cold feet I thought to myself . One last

look at the North Lake produced a couple of Common Snipe that must have been amongst the sedges when I had scanned the lake before . Once again ready to leave , when a large bird appeared over Winkworth Wood , and started heading my way . Binoculars confirmed that it was a Common

Buzzard , and it was soon joined by another bird . Unfortunately , the pair veered off and started circling , rising , and drifted back away from my position . At one point , they came together and

and almost locked talons , but by now they were well distant . The last shot I got of the pair shows not so much size differential between the two of them . I assume that the second bird was a juvenile

Common Buzzard , but by now the local Corvids had locked on to them , and proceeded to escort them away , not to be seen again . I headed back to the car , again , this time being overflown by a fast moving flock of Redpolls , that settled briefly high in the Lombardy Poplars , but left again almost immediately . I must admit that one of the main targets was my first Brambling of the year , and the fact that I had missed out earlier , had me stopping for a final look around the feeders . On

the way down the path , a Wren announce my arrival , but unfortunately it wasn't announcing even a single Brambling on the site . The same species were found , with the addition , under the main feeder of several Chaffinch , a couple of Moorhen , one with a damaged leg and 3 female Pheasant ,

all hoovering up whatever was dislodged by the birds above . And above was still very busy , with

more Greenfinches showing up and the odd House Sparrow . The sun was turning decidedly watery now and the wind was getting colder by the minute . I was heading home , but I hope that the couple who replenished the feeders are back today , as the main 12 port feeder shown above , was already about one sixth empty . By the time I reached the main road , the watery sun had been covered with grey wintery clouds , and I was glad to be inside the car .