Thornhill Meadows Reserve, Abbeytown

Thornhill Meadows had at least seven pairs of Reed Buntings, three pairs of Snipe, a Grasshopper Warbler, and two or three pairs of Sedge Warblers.

The large flocks of Goldfinches - 200 or more - and Linnets in similar numbers were the feature of August, feeding on the thistles, and adjacent lupin fields were also attracting them. There were two Barn Owls hunting one evening, and a third over nearby fields. A short session of ringing resulted in the capture of a juvenile Stonechat which had been ringed at Mawbray Banks on 23rd April. [See the separate note on this occurrence - Ed.]

 Frank Mawby