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Motorway Buzzards

I commented last year on the fact that buzzards seemed to be moving in to the kestrels' niche alongside our motorways. While travelling up the M11 just before Christmas I was struck by the sight of a pair of buzzards between Harlow and Stansted. I know that the buzzard population is on the increase but I still find it suprising to see them so regularly in Hertfordshire and even across the Essex border. Further north on the A1 we did see a handful of kestrels.

The other thing that struck me was that, on a journey from London to Yorkshire we didn't see any lapwings. Flocks of starlings and crows often crossed the road in front of us but never that distinctive impression of a chessboard torn up and tossed into the air. When I was commuting from Essex to Slough about 20 years ago they would be a regular sight in the fields.

The press have been commenting on the demise of the turtle dove. Around 25 years ago I would regularly hear them, but seldom see them, around Abberton Reservoir during the summer and I recall being woken by one when camping at a small festival in Essex 15 or 20 years ago. My last sighting was in 2007 when one actually came into my Buckinghamshire garden. Something, I fear, that is unlikely to happen again.

There is not much to report in the garden at all. While I was away at Christmas a few sunflower hearts were taken but all I have seen on that feeder since I returned has been a robin. The fat bar in the front garden is attracting blue tits.

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