Saturday 18th October – bird walk on Mottistone Down

October usually heralds the arrival of winter thrushes. Our walk began in fine style as a flock of Fieldfare descended on to bushes by the gate leading onto Mottistone Down. Following the lower cattle path, we had good views of Stonechat and Meadow Pipit. A group of Raven were visible over Grammar’s Common along with a lone Magpie, while good numbers of Swallow, Buzzard, Kestrel and Herring Gull were seen throughout the walk. A distant Jay screeched in the woodland contrasting with a Song Thrush on Mottistone Common. As expected at this time of year, Pheasant, Woodpigeon and flocks of Goldfinch and Linnet were abundant. We spotted several common passerines in the scrub – Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Chiffchaff and Wren. At the foot of Mottistone Down a particularly rich berried hedgerow caught our attention. As we sat, binoculars primed, we were rewarded with a male Ring Ouzel peeking out of hawthorn along with Bullfinch, Green Woodpecker and a female Blackcap. As we made our way back up the slope a final highlight awaited from the car park – a Red Kite, gliding low across the valley. By the end of the walk, our group of seven had recorded 27 bird species. Teresa Tearle