Went to Therfield Heath late morning where there had been several reports of a Hen Harrier and Long and Short-eared Owls. Wasn’t too hopeful as it was drizzling with a strong wind. Late afternoon in calm conditions would probably be more favourable but thought I’d give it a go.
On the way, along Foxton Road, I noticed a flock of gulls. I pulled over and scanned them, finding three adult Yellow-legged Gulls amongst around two hundred Lesser Blacked-backed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls. One was colour-ringed red on the right leg (I think – it was difficult to tell as it was only visible when it flew).
Therfield was hard work. I found three Red Kites quite easily amongst a number of Buzzards (one quite pale) and another adult Yellow-legged Gull. This was the only light grey backed large Gull in the flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls with smaller Common Gulls and Black-headed Gulls. It’s interesting to note the proportion of Yellow-legged to Herring on these inland fields. Any large pale-backed Gull it seems has a chance of being a Yellow-legged which seem to associate a lot more with Lesser Black-backed. Also there seems to be a very high proportion of adults to younger birds, particularly 1st/2nd calendar year birds.
Apart from Gulls, quite a few Yellowhammers were seen and a decent flock of Goldfinches on Teasel, but no Owls or the Harrier. I gave up and decided to drive the various lanes around the area. At one layby I found the Ringtail Hen Harrier quartering a field about a mile West of Therfield, near Kelshaw. So not too bad after all.
08 November 2015 11:45 - 15:30
Overcast with occasional very light rain 16C 17SW
Pheasant, Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark,
