Shepherd’s Chine bird walk 18th February 2018

Seven members and a guest met at Shepherd’s Chine for a walk inland to Atherfield Lane and return to our parked cars. We were expecting the weather to be dry but cloudy however, as soon as we set off a slight drizzle began. This did not put us off. After some days of wet weather we were delighted to hear the song of Skylarks filling the air. A Yellowhammer was singing from the top of a bush by the Chine and a Kestrel was hovering over a field. In a large expanse of field a large group of gulls were roosting which included Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull as well as five Canada Geese. In a nearby field two flocks of finches numbering about 75 were noted but the visibility was poor and could only conclude that in all probability they were Linnet. In another field we saw six Red-legged Partridges running up the brow of the hill and disappearing over but we then saw a few of them appear to jump up in the air – displaying perhaps? In the same field we saw approximately 40 Lapwings. In the fir trees by the farm we counted 15 Collared Dove. In all 28 species were seen. Jackie Hart.