More lockdown ticks! Marsh Tit and Wheatear...

Today's circular walk was notable for the almost complete absence of any traffic, meaning I could plod along a road that would normally be far too dangerous for pedestrians. (Having said which, on the first part of my route round to the reservoir, I was looking at the rear end of a couple of horses for half a mile, before they moved aside to let me overtake!)

First new birds were a pair of Marsh Tits in the old Oaks near the reservoir. Two Song Thrushes and a Nuthatch were on territory still, and I heard numerous Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. Local birder Keith B rode up on his bike: we chatted for a minute or two at a suitable distance, discussing the fact that in past years we'd both encountered Wheatears on the 'Golden Plover field'. Several more Yellowhammers in new locations were good to see, before I caught up with Keith at the top of the Heath. Amazingly, he'd pinned down a pair of Wheatears! Somewhat distant, but great to see: once he'd pointed out these delightful migrants, Keith sped away: I wonder if he noticed the three Roe Deer on the other side of the road?

The last leg back towards my village added a few Buzzards, more Nuthatches and a Blackcap. To my surprise, the ploughed fields just before 'Heathlands' still held a large flock (over 200!) of Fieldfares.