19.2.08

This afternoon I walked in Wareham Forest. I was really hoping to see the Great Grey Shrike which is overwintering there but unfortunately I failed, however I did have some good sightings.
There were a few Meadow Pipits flying up out of the heather on the way down to the ponds, and as I reached a pond which has Raft Spiders in the summer I heard some birds calling in the pines behind me. I walked back and saw a few birds flitting in the tops of the trees, most were Siskins but there was a very nice pair of Crossbills. I was really pleased to see these again, the male was very colourful and I was able to watch them feeding and flitting around for about half an hour.
Here's a shot of the male Crossbill

And here's the female


Also saw a group of Coal Tits with a Goldcrest moving through the trees.
I decided to move on to try and find the shrike, I walked round the large lake until I came to a grassy area with lots of tree stumps and some heather. There were some Chaffinches feeding on the ground, and near them was a Woodlark, I was so pleased to have finally found one of these and I watched it feeding for a while.


Also in the same area was a group of Goldfinches and a Stonechat. Walking back towards the car park a huge flock of Fieldfares flew low past me, I haven't seen that many around this winter so that was nice to see. There was a Kestrel hovering over the heath and I could hear a Dartford Warbler, although I didn't get to see it.
I'll probably return soon to try and see the Shrike, and hopefully the other birds will be around as well.