Early morning birding ....

I was up and out at Harrington Airfield early this morning. Again a beautiful morning with blue skies and sunshine, yet with that hint of "Autumn" ever present.
There was a large mixed flock of Linnet, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting feeding in the weeds/flowers along the rough strip.  Plenty of Whitethroats in clambering about in the bushes and at least 2 families of Grey Partridge remain although the large family has reduced in size to approx 8 birds. A Common Redstart and Whinchat were around the first bunker.
As I walked down the strip which connects the rough area to the main track I could see a bird sitting like a sentinel on top of the straw bales......it was a Black Redstart. There were quite a few birds around these bales including 2 Turtle Doves in their favourite dead trees.  The Black Redstart showed well despite being constantly chased around by a Robin.
There was another Common Redstart in the bushes by the shooting wall and a Cream Crowned Marsh Harrier quartering the fields near to the entrance where I had parked,
A short walk in the valley below Hanging Houghton produced a Common Redstart, Whinchat and Hobby.

Regards Eleanor