WAYMARKERS

1Scan surrounding farmland for flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover. Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and Kestrel should be present. Hedgerow and scrub cover attracts finches, tits, sparrows, Stonechat and thrushes, while the drainage ditch adjacent to the pub harbours ducks, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Little Egret and Grey Heron.

2Open pasture is good for winter thrushes, finches and buntings, Stock Dove and Little Owl in old willow trees. A small copse often yields Jay, Woodcock, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Treecreeper, tit flocks, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

3Check the ditches by the church for Snipe, Green Sandpiper and Little Egret. The small marsh to the north attracts Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail and Stonechat. On the sheep folds look for Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Common and Mediterranean Gulls.

The small farmland reservoir can attract a few gulls and ducks and sometimes grey geese and swans in arable fields. From the bund, scan the grazing meadows for harriers, Buzzard, Kestrel, Short-eared and Barn Owls, Snipe, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit and Linnet. The reedbed attracts a small Marsh Harrier roost, plus Bearded Tit, Water Rail, Stonechat and Cetti’s Warbler.

4