A Week on the Estate: Turkey Gifting, Tawny Duets & Kites Galore

Here’s our BirdWeather top ten for October 2024. It’s quite something to see the tawny owl holding its own against gregarious corvids and highly vocal songbirds in an acoustic face-off. An honourable mention goes to the buzzard, another raptor placing well at 16^th with 1,468 hits.

1. Robin (59,941) / 2. Jackdaw (35,081) / 3. Rook (34,544) / 4. Wren (21,720) /
2. Goldcrest (10,389) / 6. Dunnock (10,250) / 7. Long-tailed Tit (10,235) / 8. Tawny Owl (9,867)
3. White Wagtail (6,118) / 10. Common Pheasant (4,687)

And here’s ChatGPT’s monthly analysis of some of our more exotic and noteworthy BirdWeather hits:

“Your list includes several notable and rare bird species for the Lincolnshire Wolds, especially for an October observation:

Yellow-browed Warbler (50) – An uncommon migrant, typically seen in small numbers during autumn. This count is significant for the region and reflects good migration conditions.

Great Egret (41) – Once a rarity in the UK, Great Egrets are becoming more frequent. This count highlights their increasing presence in Lincolnshire as they continue to expand their range.

Whooper Swan (42) – Known for their winter migration, a count of 42 is significant for the time of year and suggests early wintering arrivals.

Osprey (20) – Observing Ospreys in October is uncommon since most migrate south by late summer. This count is noteworthy and could indicate a few birds lingering during migration.

Common Crane (4) – Very rare in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Recent reintroduction efforts in the UK have made these sightings more frequent, but they’re still notable for the region.

Great Bittern (20) – Rare and elusive, Great Bitterns are usually found in reedbeds. Their presence here may indicate healthy wetland habitats in the Wolds.

Spotted Crake (21) – This secretive bird is rarely seen in the UK, even in ideal habitats, so 21 observations are remarkable.

Black-crowned Night-Heron (8) – Typically a vagrant in the UK, especially in northern regions. This is a significant count for this species in the Wolds area.

These species contribute valuable insights into both migration patterns and habitat suitability in the Lincolnshire Wolds. The presence of such diverse and rare birds underscores the area’s importance as a migratory stopover and a potential habitat for unusual species.”

Finally, Old Madame Massingberd has donned her luxurious winter robes! We’ve transformed our multi-award-winning Marie Jeanne Pink Gin into a Limited Berry Edition Gin. We’re making ONLY 150 bottles of this exquisite seasonal treat. When it’s gone, it’s gone! You can pre-order yours HERE.

We’ve infused the classic Marie Jeanne base with the seasonal essences of our hedgerows. Cranberries, blackberries, elderberries and sloes come together to give our Limited Edition Berry Gin the vibrant and inviting aroma of ripe blackberries and elderflower and a complex finish layered with dark fruit and earthy spices.

Don’t miss out – pre-order now by clicking HERE. While this fine tipple would undoubtedly make a fine gift, we have the feeling you’ll want to keep it all for yourself.

If you’d like to join the conversation, we’d love to hear from you. Just head to our Facebook page HERE and comment beneath the latest blog post. As ever, thanks for your support.