A busy day with quite a bit of "vis mig" from dawn including a spectacular movement of Wood Pigeons: a conservative (if crude) estimate of 18,000 birds mainly going South East, 0705 - 0910. Unusually they started moving just after dawn. During the same period: 140 Skylarks, 50 Meadow Pipits, 240 Chaffinches, 55 Goldfinches, 45 Linnets, 10 Alba Wagtails, 2 Fieldfares, 55 Starlings, 4 Song Thrushes, 1 Siskin, and 1 Greenfinch.
Also: 1 Short-eared Owl flushed from scrub between Bolt Head and the Warren at c0730; 1 Golden Plover; c25 Stock Doves; 2 Redwings; 1 male Ring Ouzel; 1 ad fem Hen Harrier (fields around East Soar Car park); 1 Black Redstart; 1 Merlin; 2 Bullfinches, 2 Firecrests (West Soar); 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 1 Wheater.
Overall a lively day!
