I recently posted about the red listed status of the (almost) ubiquitous herring gull. Today I cam across a much more fragile inhabitant of the South Downs, the corn bunting. These small field dwellers have seen a drastic decline in recent years, mainly due to habitat changes and new farming methods. I'd been following a small flock of yellowhammers (they're related) and I'll begin the photographic journal with those.
A flock of yellowhammers
Yellowhammer
I continued along the path. Sheep were grazing, and lambs were nestling down in the fields.
It was on my way back that I came across another flock. I was facing the sun, and at first thought it was another group of yellowhammers. 
Flock of corn buntings
Closer inspection revealed that I was wrong. They were corn buntings (though I needed to check the identification back at home as this is an entirely new sighting for me). 
Corn buntings
A tight crop
And a slightly dodgy shot of them taking to the air…
Back in the garden, I heard positive evidence that cubs are in the vicinity (you may need to open that file to hear it… I haven't figured out how to embed it in the page). They can't be far away, and from the sound of them they may already be a few weeks old (which would make them early season births). The noise started up shortly after a fox carrying some food (not from our garden) had rushed past me. He was too quick for an identification, but a few minutes later Shutterbug did make an appearance and was certainly keeping an ear open.
Camera note: all daytime shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The fox was photographed with the EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS lens.
RobinL
7 Mar 2011Words, congrats on the Corn Bunting sighting. They certainly are pretty little birds.
I look forward to the kits in yard photos. If you can hear them they'll surely come into your little haven!
cakkleberrylane
7 Mar 2011Add mine to your sighting too! I really like the shot of them in the air, like a tiny angel! Very interesting sounds from the kits, not at all the way I thought they would sound.
gdare
7 Mar 2011I don`t remember I`ve ever seen corn buntings here, but I may be wrong. Not too many different birds in a city :left:
SittingFox
7 Mar 2011Most excellent! I don't think I've ever seen a corn bunting. Maybe I should look harder next time I see a yellowhammer flock :right:
Shutterbug is looking good. We've suddenly had a couple of new foxes turn up here. Seems like the wrong time of year for going trespassing, but I suppose they didn't read the rulebook :right:
Kelisha
7 Mar 2011Excellant shots i especially like the Corn buntings in the air taking flight also i think your a bit Modest by calling this a "slightly dodgy" capture as it really is Brilliant Words,
I love the other Wildlife shots also especially the ones where you have the afternoon Sun on your side i like the Foxes also…Well Done Words.:awww: :happy: :angel: :star: :dragonfly: :wizard:
Words
8 Mar 2011Robin, thanks. Of course now I think every small bird is a corn bunting! We can never be entirely sure whether the cubs (kits) will appear in the garden, but most years they do. I'm hopeful.
Words
8 Mar 2011Lois, thanks! It was nice to get a flight shot of the buntings. Foxes do make the strangest noises!
Words
8 Mar 2011Adele, I barely noticed the corn buntings at first. I just assumed the initial lack of colour was because I was walking directly towards the sun. I'm glad I bothered to take a few shots.
Interesting you've got some new foxes visiting. They must all be busy searching for food at the moment, so I guess ranges get muddled.
Words
8 Mar 2011Darko, I doubt they'd appear in a city, but they can be found across most of Europe. You might see them yet!
Words
8 Mar 2011Kelisha, the buntings in flight works when the image is reduced in size, but it's not strictly in focus! The light was generally very good though, and really bringing out the colours.
Words
10 Mar 2011Thanks Erwin!
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Very nice shots