During todays WEBS count carried out between the top of Castlemartin Corse and Freshwater West we recorded 47 spieces. Great views of a quartering adult Male Hen Harrier, but the most spectacular sighting was the mixed flocks feeding in the stubble fields around the Gupton Farm. As is always the case with extremely large flocks, estimates of numbers are no more or less than guesstimates. Huge flocks of Linnets outnumbering Chaffinches with many other speices mixed together - i.e. Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
8 Greylag Goose, 60+ Widgeon, 120+ Teal, 13+ Mallard, 42+ Shoveler, 2 Heron, 1 Male Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3+Moorhen, 2 Coot, 6 Oystercatcher, 280+ Golden Plover, 29 Grey Plover, 1000+ Lapwing (maybe 1500 when all seen in the air together), 30+ Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 65+ Curlew, 106+ Wood Pigeon, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 9 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chough, 400+ Starling, 5 Reed Bunting, 800+ Chaffinch, 1200+ Linnet (could even be 1500 in hugh flocks) and the odd Brambling with the Chaffinch. As you can see haven't listed the more common garden Birds and Gulls.
Many thanks to John Best who like me has never seen such large flocks of Linnets and Chaffinches together.
Altogether a great days birding.
