Part of the large flock of geese currently feeding on the hills adjacent to West Field actually crossed the boundary and explored West Field for a short time this afternoon. They do seem to regard the hedge as a rigid boundary (my own amateur theory is that the hills are heavily manured and thus have new grass shoots) but perhaps this little foray will lead to more extensive occupation.
Also yesterday I saw two song thrushes flying from the Pads footpath across Big Meadow to the hedgerow near Lucy Brook. I believe it’s some time since anyone has seen thrushes.
During Monday’s flush count, I asked Jon why the geese (largely pink footed) are so reluctant to leave the drumlins for West Field. His explanation is that they feel safer on the hill. In West Field they see glimpses of movement along the footpath and find this scary. When he walked through West Field doing some monitoring Graham noted that the geese on the drumlins were watching and moving away.