Peter Jones Wildlife blog

Took my dog on a long walk out of the village and across the local common. The area seems to have been in decline for breeding birds in the few years I have lived in this area. Afternoons in particular can be a struggle, and today seemed to be heading the same way. Stonechat seems to be the latest species becoming very hard to find. However, looking back, the walk was pretty good. A hat-trick of our three Woodpecker species is always a memorable achievement, even if today all three were heard only in the distance! A Wheatear foraged in the distance and a Raven called high overhead. The walk was rounded off with a singing Yellowhammer. One species at least that seems to be clinging on locally.

* Hurst Castle pays dividends, * Hurst Castle subsequently proves hard work with little reward! * My first Spring Migrants arrive, A couple of mornings spent at Hurst Castle over the Easter weekend. The strong North East winds have persisted for a couple of weeks now, with no sign of abating, and adding a bitter cold chill to the air. Spring migrants seem to be struggling through though, and the first visit, in sunshine, was quite enjoyable with Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Common Scoter, Eider, Greenshank, Black Redstart and 4 or 5 Wheatears the highlights. The second visit, in painfully cold conditions was less successful with just two Sandwich Terns for highlights! The saltmarsh side of the spit did, however, have good numbers of Waders at low tide with a Summer plumaged Black tailed Godwit among the Dunlins, Grey Plover, Curlew etc. Despite the long walk over shingle, Hurst is proving to be a productive venue so far this Spring, Black Redstart being a better find than anything I manag