Lee Hurrell

[millerd]

I think I've seen them on (and above) the grassy areas adjacent to the Heathrow runways and taxiways.

Dave

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks Dave.

I guess the grassy areas at the airport are another field to them.

I was hoping you, Susie or Chris C would have had experience!

What a bird to see in your front garden though

Cheers

Lee

[Gibster]

I'm sure I've just seen 4-5 Skylarks in and above a tree opposite my front door.

Hiya Lee,

I very much doubt the birds were Skylarks. In all my years birding I don't think I've ever seen a Skylark in a tree, nevermind 4 or 5! Woodlarks often sing from trees and also have an amazing aerial songflight, but open heathland is their usual habitat. I saw several just two days ago on Thursley Common. So I'm a bit puzzled as to what you saw! But not Skylarks. Unless one rose up from behind the tree and gave the impression of having flown from the tree???

I'll have a ponder


Gibster.

[Zonda]

Earlier today i saw a flock of 40-50 Corn Buntings, maybe that's what you spotted.

[ChrisC]

hi Lee,
as others have said, would be unusual for skylarks. what made you think skylarks and not starlings? waxwings maybe if they had a crest. some finches do the flying up and singing though.

Chris

[Susie]

I can't comment on the behaviour of skylarks, I don't know enough about them. What I do know is that there are plenty of skylarks in west London, Lee. The first place I ever saw them was Minet Country Park in Hayes, they were also in Yeading. I imagine there will be some around the Horsenden Hill area in Greenford too although I haven't seen them.

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks all.

I saw one at first and I admit my first thought was Goldfinch but it was the wrong shape. Too big for a start plus it had pointy wings and a longish tail. Then I thought Starling but then I heard the song and I was sure. Well, more sure.

It wasn't in tree for long - I saw it hovering first, then it sort of descending into the tree singing. It was then joined by 3-4 others and then they flew off. And that was it! The tree wasn't a big tree, more like the sort you see from an overgrown hedge. I think it's an Ash if it helps.

Susie, indeed could be at Horsenden Hill, some good habitat for them there. On a separate note, our friend with Twiggy the Greyhound told me last year she had seen a Marbled White up there. I was sceptical at first until I read the Herts/Middlesex sightings page to find they do indeed live up there! Who would have thought that in west London!?

Chris, It was the behaviour (flying up and down) and the song that changed my mind from Starling.

Gibster, I think it has to at least be a possibility if they have been seen in Heathrow (no more than 10 miles) and Hayes (Minet Country Park is no more than 2 or 3 miles as the lark flies)?

Zonda, I don't think I've ever knowingly seen a Corn Bunting, but I'll look them up.

Thanks

Lee

[Lee Hurrell]

Zonda, according to my book, the song of the Corn Bunting is wrong for what I heard. It does say they share the same habitat as Skylarks though.

Cheers

Lee

[Lee Hurrell]

Sunday 27th February 2011

What a glorious morning. I had to nip to Brighton again today and drove down in lovely warm sunshine. I was hoping it would last until I was back but it wasn't to be. I drove back in torrential rain

So my only sighting was a bumble bee at Pease Pottage services.

[Susie]

.

[Padfield]

That's wonderful news! Well done both of you!

Guy

[Susie]

So when are you getting married, or is it too early to say?

[Vince Massimo]

Congratulations Lee, Pease Pottage Services is a romantic place isn't it?

Vince

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks all, much appreciated.

Too early to say just yet Susie!

I was my own this week Vince, not sure I'd have got away with it at the services

Cheers

Lee

[Neil Hulme]

Congratulations Lee.
Best Wishes, Neil

[Zonda]

Just be careful Lee, i've noticed that women keep changing their avatars.

[Lee Hurrell]

Thank you, Neil and Zonda!

[millerd]

And hearty congratulations from me as well. I'm glad it wasn't Pease Pottage - a service area without much cachet, I feel.

Beaconsfield, on the other hand... much classier!

[Gibster]

I've always felt a certain affinity with Winchester Services on the M3...lovely Burger King dining hall and the loos are always spotlessly clean

[Susie]

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