The local bird life has been quiet recently, partly because after the breeding season many birds will be moulting into their new feathers and this can take up to five weeks to gradually moult and then regrow a new set of feathers. They are very vulnerable to being caught by predators at this stage of their lives so they tend to keep out of sight as much as they can.
In the garden there have also been fewer birds at the feeders as natural food is still plentiful, so it is always good to see something a bit more unusual from the kitchen window, such as this grey heron, which appeared yesterday flying in over the gardens in Pole Rue and then landing unexpectedly in a big conifer tree behind the houses.It remained there for well over an hour and then flew off, but I saw it again this morning flying towards the churchyard. Perhaps it has its eye on someone's garden pond?!
Last week we took a short trip down to Devon and had the chance to have a short walk on the cliff top at the RSPB Labrador Bay Reserve near Shaldon. This site has been specifically managed to encourage the rare Cirl bunting and it has been very successful, with over 25 breeding pairs now frequenting the local stubble fields and hedgerows. I was delighted to see quite a few feeding on the grain amongst the stubble and managed to get these pictures when they flew up into the hedgerows. They are similar in appearance, and indeed related to yellowhammers, and these photos of young, or female birds are not a great example, but having heard their call as well I can confirm they are Cirl buntings!
A distant kestrel was patrolling the cliff top too and it landed on a tree several hundred yards away, very well camouflaged in the reddish brown leaves.
Whilst none of these pictures are great shots, it was lovely to be able to do some bird watching again after a long break from my favourite hobby due to the recent restrictions on travel.
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