Friday 26 September 2008

Autumn migration continued on my patch this morning, as I left for work SISKINS could be heard going over, but they were too high up to see. A CHIFFCHAFF sang strongly at the college grounds, and a COAL TIT was calling loudly. On the way home, I saw that Migrant alley was full of MEADOW PIPITS (around 30 ) and LINNETS (around 100) all feeding in the Maize stubbles.
A quick bite to eat, and then I was out back at the stubbles, I walked up the most popular fenceline for 'chats' and wasn't disappointed, a WHINCHAT was atop a tall hedge that divides the stubble from the greenhouses, this is where the Redstart was. Another 50m on, and a STONECHAT was seen! Migrant Alley really has earned it's name this year! Overhead a dozen HOUSE MARTINS and 5 SWALLOWS passed through, the only raptor seen today was a KESTREL.
A look round the tree nursery produced a handsome male PHEASANT but nothing much else, although I did glimpse a ''Little Brown Job'' as it flew from the hedge and into a stand of Laurel shrubs, despite searching and waiting I didn't see it again, one that got away!


Above and below: Stonechat.
Below: Yet another Whinchat. This is now easily the best year for this species on my patch.


Below is the Handsome male Pheasant


This looks like a Common Darter. It may be an old Female?






3 comments:

darrell j prest said...

this is stuff 'blogging' was made for.

i have reed buntings,twite and stonechats coming out of my ears,and you have hobby and yellow wagtails and 40 more species this year than me
but its great to find out what other
'local patchers' are seeing and recording.

ps

my best year for whinchats aswell

Greenie said...

Warren ,
I'd agree with you on the Darter ID .

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Warren: Thanks for showing what you are naming. It makes it so much more interesting.