Having stopped for our customary breakfast enroute, Kev (@kev07713) and I arrived at Pewsey Downs, one of seven National Nature Reserves in Wiltshire. The site is one of the finest examples of chalk downland in southern England and the flower-rich grasslands which occur on the Downs have developed due mainly to the low level of plant nutrients in the soil. This nutrient-poor soil prevents more vigorous plant species dominating.
We accessed the site making for Milk Hill, the highest point in Wiltshire passing hares by and on the track and handfuls of corn buntings. On the track we gradually pushed meadow pipits up the slope and eventually into the hedges running along the track. We spotted lots of tree sparrow boxes and have heard about the good work being done here to try and revive and support numbers.
We reached a car park and left the car to position ourselves slightly below the track and looking down across the valley. Down on the fences and posts we could see more corn buntings and lots of corvids behind. Skylarks called from all directions and could be seen on the wing, performing their characteristic ascension and parachuting display.
We were primarily here to hear and/or hear quail but the wind was making it a bit tricky. It took a long time of enjoying the sights and sounds of the other species, but eventually Kev got a good look at one having focussed on a quieter call over where he was, while I saw it 'just' and had also caught the call just before it moved.
Down in the valley we spotted a very pale raptor along the brow of the hill but couldn't make out what it was before it was lost. Through the scope Kev then picked out a pair of stone curlews feeding on/in the very edge of distant scrub. At times you had to convince yourself that you could still see them. I tried to capture some record shots, but the images would be 'inconclusive'.
Having achieved what we'd come for we made our way along a track parallel to the valley we'd been looking across and managed to find a position where we could look at where the stone curlews had been - they were still in the same area. Still very distant and with the heat haze I had another go and got some images that I think can be seen to be stone curlew!
We were happy with our day but were treated to a farewell from a pair of corn buntings that landed in a tree just to or left giving great views. A nice birding day out despite limited species, the quail was a year tick for me.
Leaving the site we stopped to enjoy a kestrel perched atop some old farm machinery. It hopped forwards and I snapped a couple of photos before it dropped into the grass, presumably having spotted a rodent - it missed but flew away in the opposite direction to where we sat.
On the way home we stopped to look across some farmland and were lucky to see a daytime hunting barn owl. A great way to finish the day.
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