Linnet flock brightens up another cold visit

And just when frost bite was making this mornings visit to LFGP all seem not really worth it, a flock of finches appeared out of the NW corner and thankfully circled back and landed in the right hand of the three Oaks, allowing me to confirm their identity as Linnets, the largest confirmed flock since 20-25 15th Oct 2010 and prior to that c20 23rd Oct 2008. I got a distant and poor record shot of this 86th species for my year and 90th for the park.

Linnet used to breed in various spots around DP, but declined steadily and then the landfill was the last stronghold, 60+ there 4th Feb 2007.
That said, in 2011 I did find evidence of 1, or possibly 2 pairs breeding in the bushes opposite the commercial buildings on Sandford Farm and frequently saw 4 birds on Sandford Park during the summer last year, so hopefully they are hanging in there.






Other than this a few Herring Gull, including one with just one foot lingered, 300+ Lapwing and 200+ Starling kept rising above the landfill, the usual 150+ Wigeon were noisy and 2 Little Grebe on the Loddon opposite the hide was about it.

Not sure why Shelduck hasn't showed up yet and Redshank hasn't kept us waiting until March since 2009, but twice arrived on 26th in 2012 and 2010.