Best of all, though, was the constant singing of both Skylarks and Corn Buntings. I knew this area was the Belgian stronghold of the latter, but I was amazed by just how many there were, with a different bird singing every 50 metres or so.
Sunday 7 June 2020
Cornucopia of buntings
Today, I visited some nondescript arable farmland in Flemish-Brabant which seems to be the chosen sojourn of a second-year, male Pallid Harrier. I got to see it really well, albeit at a distance, and watch it hunting for around fifteen minutes. This is only my second in Belgium, the first resulting from a similar twitch to some farmland in Wallonia some six years ago. Being my first farmland birding of the year, I added a few other species to my year list, including Grey Partridge and heard-only Quail. There was also a hunting Hobby, an immature Marsh Harrier, Yellowhammer, and lots of Blue-headed Wagtails.
Best of all, though, was the constant singing of both Skylarks and Corn Buntings. I knew this area was the Belgian stronghold of the latter, but I was amazed by just how many there were, with a different bird singing every 50 metres or so.
Best of all, though, was the constant singing of both Skylarks and Corn Buntings. I knew this area was the Belgian stronghold of the latter, but I was amazed by just how many there were, with a different bird singing every 50 metres or so.
