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Partridges

Driving home from work today I was delighted to see a pair of red legged partridges plodding across the lane in front of me. The second of the pair finally decided to fly over the hedge rather than walk under it. I have been trying to remember if I have ever seen one take to the air before. In the past they have normally preferred to run away, usually straight down the road in the path of the car.

As April draws to a close there are very few birds coming into the garden although I do hear a lot of song. Yesterday I did see two goldfinches on the feeders which was the first sighting in at least a week.

With a few days leave after easter I was able to see how the kites were moving into this area. Last year it was still unusual to see any over the Chess or Missbourne valleys but last week I was seeing up to three at a time close to Chesham. One pair chasing each others tails in a spectacular manner and a solitary bird over Waterside, the first time I have see one over the town itself. I also managed a trip into St Albans. The herons in the park are nesting and at least four nests with birds on them were clearly visible without making any effort.

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