Marden 23/11/25

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A lovely sunny day and I decided to try my luck at Marden where numbers of buntings and finches are reported to be building up in the fields and hedgerows near Plain Road.

Not being familiar with the area I walked the public footpath to the west of the road, initially near orchards but eventually came to set-aside fields flanked by alder trees. A big flock of Linnet flew up into the trees and Chaffinch were also fairly numerous in the area. 

I found a flock of Yellowhammer in the hedgerow dividing two set-aside fields. Numbers were difficult to assess though at least 20 birds plus a few Reed Buntings. Nearby a Stonechat was unexpected.

A smaller flock of Yellowhammer was later seen on the opposite side of the field, about a dozen birds plus a few Goldfinch.

It's fantastic what has been achieved with farmland birds in the Marden area, a credit to the farmers and to RM who has been advising them over the years.

Male Yellowhammer 

Presumed female Yellowhammer 


Reed Bunting

Linnets

Most Yellowhammer were seen in this hedgerow 


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