Cold walk on the Hill

It was an early morning walk around Liddington Hill for me this morning. Fortunately I thought to put on winter gear as there was a cutting north wind blowing. Almost immediately I found a large flock of Fieldfare and Redwing, the first of over four hundred seen throughout the walk. Scattered amongst them were Starling, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, Linnet and Corn Bunting. A brief view was had of two Ring Ouzels as they flew into a dense clump of bushes, however I didn’t see them again. A Yellow Wagtail was a surprising find, a Merlin was not. Other raptors seen were Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. A couple of Skylarks were singing, several Meadow Pipits on the fence-line and a single Wheatear was found on the earthworks of the castle. So despite the wind a great walk with a total of twenty-eight species seen. Also seen were five Roe Deer and interesting ring of large fungi.