Tetrad-bashing in Herbranston - Hasguard Cross area

As usual in recent winters, Annie and I spent Christmas Day recording tetrads that have few records. We visited several areas between Herbranston, Hasguard Cross and an area to the east and north of Walwyn's Castle (mostly in SM81 and SM80).

Throughout the day snipe and lapwing were pretty well everywhere we walked, feeding in fields and on grassy verges/under hedgerows. Until today, there had been no records yet of woodcock in SM81 10 km square. Numbers of snipe and woodcock were truly impressive across several tetrads we walked through. Jack Snipe were also flushed in a couple of locations.

It was nice to see two red kites (no tags) perched on a fence along side a merlin near the frozen pool south of Hasguard Cross. Small numbers of teal were found feeding in ice-free streams sheltered by overhanging vegetation. A moorhen up a tree may have been taking avoiding action as a sparrowhawk passed through. A single kestrel also put in appearance late in the afternoon. In a stubble field north of Hasguard Cross there was a nice flock of skylarks (about 280 estimated). Thrushes (notably song thrush) were fairly numerous but finches were rather thin on the ground. A single yellowhammer was found near Hasguard Hall.

Overall SM81 now has exactly 100 species recorded in it. However we may not yet be up to the 90% plus of the total number of species recorded in the first winter Atlas. Species still not recorded for example, include grey plover, ringed plover, any owl species, brambling and dipper! Where are dippers likely to be seen in this 10 km square - near Broadhaven? If you see any of the missing species in SM81 then please add them to the Atlas.

Merry Christmas