Winter walk along the Roman Road

6th November 2023 - Andy M took an early morning walk along the Roman Road recently - the low, slightly watery, sun barely warmed the air, but seemed to promote a good deal of activity in the wildlife. 

Good sized flocks of Skylark were starting to display, rising up from the stubble whilst continuous singing, then suddenly dropping back down to earth with wingtips and tail held up. Males chased each other low down around the field too. Along the margins, a flock of Meadow Pipit and Goldfinch were feeding on scattered seed, and Corn Bunting sang from prominent perches above. A few Fieldfare were also around, dashing nervously between berry-laden trees, whilst high above a Red Kite circled effortlessly, scanning below for anything below that might present itself as breakfast. Below several Hare were starting to dash about the patterned fields, not quite boxing yet, but definitely in training!

Skylark, displaying already

Meadow Pipit, and other species, feeding on seeds along the margins

Corn Bunting singing from a prominent perch

Fieldfare

Fieldfare, dashing between berry bushes

Red Kite, circling high above

Hare, chasing if not yet boxing

Crisp clean lines of winter wheat

Patterns in the stubble - a key food source for many species