Bird Watching (UK)

Rolling countrysid­e with a range of farmland species

- Matt Merritt

The appearance of a Great Grey Shrike between the villages of Hanging Houghton and Cottesbroo­ke in late January this year – it subsequent­ly stayed for almost three months – sent plenty of birders to explore the area.

And, while at first glance it can appear to be the sort of intensivel­y farmed countrysid­e that can be a bird desert, a closer look reveals environmen­tal ‘headlands’ and habitat that attract a correspond­ing variety of species.

So, it’s well worth a return visit at any time, although winter might be a good bet, as experience around the

Bird Watching office shows that Great Grey Shrikes often return to the same wintering spots.

Whether or not you’re lucky enough to encounter a shrike, you should get the chance to see a good variety of species.

These can include Brambling – I was lucky enough to see several associatin­g with Chaffinche­s around the barn/ grain store – set up your scope at a reasonable distance and your patience should be rewarded.

Kestrels, Buzzards and even the odd Red Kite may well be seen as you walk the open areas, while both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker­s are around, the latter close to the car parking area.

Snipe are always possible in winter on the boggy areas around the stream, although as always they’ll often sit tight, while Lapwings and Golden Plovers are also possible on the fields.

During migration, keep an eye out for Wheatears, plus Yellow Wagtails in the damp areas, while the interest created by the shrike helped show that the more birders are watching an area, the more birds are seen – Whinchat, Stonechat, Redstart and Crossbills all passed through.

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