Reminder: SOS walk at Alfred's Tower Saturday 7th June.
Just a reminder that Jeff Hazell and I will be leading the SOS walk in the woods around Alfred's Tower, to the east of Bruton, this coming Saturday. We'll meet at the main car park ST745352 for a 9.30am start. The walk will last about two and a half hours during which time we should see and hear a wide range of woodland species. After the recent rainfall, some of the paths are likely to be muddy, so stout footwear is advisable.
All are welcome. We hope to see you there!
The lucky seven people gathered in the car park at Alfred’s Tower, had Bruce to thank when he suddenly exclaimed “Hawfinch calling” and pointed it out, flying overhead; most probably the first record in Somerset this year? Bruce told us that this spring had been a good one for Firecrests and that he had located 18, possibly 19 breeding territories throughout the woodland surrounding Alfred’s Tower. He guided us to several of these where 5 or 6 different males were heard singing and we had good views of 3 birds – excellent stuff! Other usual woodland birds seen and heard included an adult Marsh Tit feeding 2 newly fledged young, pair of Blackcaps carrying food down into the ground vegetation, Nuthatch, Spotted Flycatcher, Raven and Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. Heavy rain had just about ceased as we started the 2 hour walk (with plenty of stops), and apart from a 15 minute downpour we were lucky, even finishing in bright sunshine. Many thanks to Bruce and his very keen hearing for a most enjoyable mornings birding.
Hi Jeff,
Unfortunately, the car park at Alfred's Tower is just (and only just) in Wiltshire, so the Hawfinch may have missed out on being a Somerset record by less than 50 yards (depending on exactly where it was, of course).
Just to clarify, the hawfinch came from the Somerset side into Wiltshire airspace and assuming it kept to its course would have re entered "our" county a few moments after we lost sight of it. So technically it counts for both counties, not that the bird itself will be concerned about it!
