Mild 6C overcast NW 9
To describe the full benefits of watching wildlife, especially on a local patch would warrant its own blog (now there's a thought!). From raising your heart rate, through burning excess fat to the escapism and performance of an MOT on the mind and the exhilaration and personal satisfaction that comes from discovering nature. This activity should be part of every health, school and motivational program. It would produce success in the health, community and business sectors, and remains a resource that has been barely tapped.
To illustrate, I set out at 7am, an hour and a half before dawn. A brisk walk to Belbroughton got the circulation going, burning off the excesses of Christmas, whilst allowing my mind to wander, without stress, across all areas of my life, putting things to rest, producing ideas and inspiration, simply because the mind had got off the predictable treadmill, allowing freedom to explore thoughts, feelings and emotions. Several life plans had been formulated before arriving at the farmland area between the Stourbridge Road and Moor Hall Farm.
On the way a Buzzard was North of Bell Heath and a SISKIN was heard near Gorse Farm, Hollies Hill.
This was the first time that I had approached Moorhall Farm from the South at dawn, and it served to provide greater insight into the importance of the site. Firstly 12 Canada Geese were seen leaving the pools and heading West. This confirmed what was felt following the early morning Cormorant sighting last month; that the site is used by water birds for roosting.
However the big surprise was to find a massive flock of finches on the telegraph wires. Linnet have been proving hard to count in the area, because there have been several separate groups feeding and moving around the fields. I was amazed to find that when I scanned the flock on the wires, they were all Linnet. This was confirmed by following the small groups of 40 or so that kept dropping onto the field and "rolling over" each other whilst feeding. Goldfinch and Chaffinch were seen but these were rising from nearer the farm and did not settle on the wires, confirming their roost spot that was suspected last month. Rather than attempt a count, I waited for the groups to all settle on the wires at once and then took a photo. An amazing 358 individuals can be seen below:
This encounter provided yet more evidence regarding the importance of the Moorhall Farm area for wildlife. I slowly worked my way along the hedgerow, continually looking out for anything other than Linnet in the flock. I was amazed to confirm that it was not a mixed flock. Although this was perhaps likely at first light, because of different roosting habits, it has to be said that even late morning visits have shown that the Linnet, Goldfinch and Chaffinch prefer to group separately in this area. The Linnet are more mobile, whilst the Goldfinch remain on field edges and hedgerows, or at the farm, whilst the Chaffinch prefer the South east corner of the turnip field and along the paddock hedgerows.
6 Greenfinch headed West over the Paddock nearest Walton Farm - a site record count, believe i or not! A total of 22 Chaffinch headed South from roost at the farm where c30 Goldfinch were present.
On the main pool 14 Mallard, 10 Coots, 2 pairs of Wigeon, a pair of Gadwall, 2 male and a female Tufted Duck were noted.
c8 Buzzard were worming together with 2 Grey Herons and 2 Raven headed South overhead. 30 Redwing were also noted on this field by Walton Farm, together with 30 Starling and c5 Fieldfare. The large group of Fieldfare seen last month appear to have moved on.
A Green Woodpecker was calling from the Paddocks and also a Pheasant was heard from beyond to the north.
c50 Stock Dove were seen in their usual spot near Stourbridge Road, from Walton Farm.
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