The Juvenile Birder

Wykeham Forest Wildlife! We arrived at a site just outside of Wykeham Forest in hopes of seeing Turtle Doves. As soon as we arrived, we were  treated to an abundance of activity. Initially we noticed five Yellowhammers  feeding and showing very well, including what looked to be a few fledglings. Suddenly, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew in and started feeding in a tree just opposite us. There appeared to be one juvenile and one adult bird. Although not uncommon, I have not had many views of this majestic bird this year. I then got out of the car (which we were using as a hide) and started looking in and around the bushes, spotting a few Nuthatches , as well as both adult and young Great Tits  and Blue Tits . I then spotted five Tree Sparrows , including at least three young, all perfectly perched on one branch. I didn't expect to see them here, so it was nice to find five of them! I also got a brief view of a Marsh/Willow Tit , however I didn't get to see it long enoug...

 Scarce Woodland Raptors and Songbirds! We arrived at 8:00am in hopes of seeing Honey Buzzards (As advised by Rob). We walked through the woodland and to Raptor Viewpoint. There, we waited, seeing Common Buzzards yet no Honey Buzzards. Just then, as someone was talking to us, he spotted a raptor circling to the left above the trees fairly close. At first he yelled 'large raptor circling above trees, large raptor circling above trees' and then it was a 'Honey Buzzard! Honey Buzzard!' I looked up and saw it. There were 10/10 views with 1/10 being bad. It then kept popping up and then going down. A new tick! Shortly after, someone pointed out a Goshawk as it flew near to where the Honey Buzzard was but in the opposite direction towards the open space. It only showed briefly so 4/10 views of that yet it was another tick! Then, to finish off the first part of our trip, someone pointed out a Common Crossbill as it perched on top of the pine tree and then flew off. Our final t...