Bird sightings

Today I began the year list for the main patch that I record. The patch being our 140 acre, organic farm three miles outside Llanidloes. (In how many other occupations can you combine work with birdwatching?) The farm has a mosaic of habitats consisting of river, streams, ponds, bog, woods, meadows and hill land which, in turn, leads to a variety of wildlife.

The tally of 31 species was reasonable given the cold wind and dullness of the day. I did not see the 50 or so Golden Plover that were present last week and the birds that had commenced singing (including a drumming Great-spotted Woodpecker) were quiet today. Snipe, Woodcock, first winter Grey Wagtail and Treecreeper being birds of note. The Kite was present on his usual perch atop a larch on the hill and the Raven was calling from the spruce tree it had nested in last year. Although Ravens have bred on the farm, last year was the first time they have nested in the garden, which has added nicely to Pied Flycatcher and Redstart that nest in boxes in the garden and the Wood Warbler that sings in the trees behind my polytunnels.