Saturday 17th October 2024 - Harpford

 

Today was the last day of our break but not the end of the holiday as today we were going to visit Yvonne’s cousin Susie and Mike her husband at a little village called Harpford. At our cottage earlier in the week we found a bird feeder and the local store sold peanuts, so we filled up the feeder and during the week a few birds mainly Blue/Great Tits had visited also the local Squirrel, this morning Coal Tit was new for the week. At Susie’s we had coffee overlooking the River Otter and earlier in the day Mike had seen Dipper and Goosander but during our stay they did not reappear but on their feeders were Blue, Great and Coal Tits and Goldfinch while Chaffinch, Robin and Dunnock were under. Mike took us for a walk along the riverbank which all belonged to them, and we logged Magpie, Mallard, Great Spotted Woodpecker Jay and Blackbird. At the end of their property on the opposite side of the river was a stubble field and here we watcher many Skylarks flying too and fro before dropping to the ground, A very white Buzzard flew past, and a flock of Goldfinches flew over. Carrion Crow was the only corvid seen, a Grey Wagtail flew down river calling as it went and a Cormorant flew high over. A lovely lunch was provided, but all to soon it was time to leave and set off home, but not the end of the birds as we added Starling, Rook, Collared Dove, Kestrel, Red Kite and Jackdaw to the days list. What a fabulous few days and thank you Bryan and Yvonne for such a lovely Golden Wedding gift.

Grey Wagtail - Library Picture (Bath Birdwatcher)


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