The Lincolnshire Bird Club

A flock feeding on 0.5ha of unharvested wheat (left as part of a stewardship scheme) adjoining a small reedbed at Garthorpe today was estimated at 350 individuals, accompanied by 25 Yellowhammers. Even with the assistance of a female Marsh Harrier, I found these very difficult to count and there may be a lot more than the estimate (but not a lot less). The flock has been present since September but has increased considerably in the past week or two, perhaps as a result of the colder weather.

I attempted another count of the Reed Buntings at Garthorpe this morning, in bright frosty conditions, and got to the same total - 350. This time they were split into two main groups of 250 on the unharvested wheat/reedbed area and 80 in a mixed kale/nectar mix/grassland area, plus a few other small groups in riverside reeds. Also about 22 Yellowhammers. Three Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk patrolling the key area presumably means the numbers of buntings are reducing slowly, but there are also quite a few rats not to mention 120+ Stock Doves for the harriers to have a go at.