Once again a four hour patch walk was undertaken, with much the same bird species seen as yesterday, as one would expect now all the regular spring migrants have arrived. Noteworthy sightings inlcluded 22 Geese at Migrant Alley early this morning, 17 of those were GREYLAG the remainder CANADA. Another Goose turned up today, my old friend the feral BARNACLE GOOSE (66), it flew over with it's canadian pal, towards the Lake area, but wasn't on the lake when I got there, but there were 4 more Grey Lags, 5 Canada's and 3 MALLARD.
The lakeside scrub was pretty lively again today, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, CUCKOO and TURTLE DOVE, were all seen and heard, and of the non migrant species WREN, ROBIN, DUNNOCK, BLACKBIRD, SONGTHRUSH, and MISTLETHRUSH all sang together. I also saw my first Small Copper butterfly here, as well as a Holly Blue.
COMMON WHITETHROATS were seen in the hegderow dividing Ashes lane and the Tree Nursery, and another was in the Tall Hedge at Migrant Alley. The SPOTTED FLYCATCHER was calling loudly from the same area at the College Grounds, and 6 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS were on the College Sports Pitch. I went over to my skywatching seat at Migrant Alley towards the end of my walk, and tried to find the 50th species for the morning, I was confident of finding it, as not one Raptor species had been seen all morning, however it wasn't one of the usual raptors that made the 50th species for the day, but a superb RED KITE (67), what a find! It drifted over heading SW, but alas I still didn't find any of the more common raptors. I cant believe Ive now seen two Red Kites over my patch this year, unbelievable, and not something I would have believed possible a few years ago.
Above: Small Copper butterfly. Below: Holly Blue butterfly
Below : A male HOUSE SPARROW
Below: GOLDFINCH
Below: The Canada and Greylag Geese at Migrant Alley this morning
Lastly, the blue bells in the Wet Woods, better get a photo of them before they go over for the year.
13 comments:
Warren,
A nice picture of a female Goldfinch.
Another Red Kite sighting Warren. They are definitely getting more common in the South East. FAB.
Well done with the Red Kite Warren. Great find. And good to hear that the Spotted Fly is back. Haven't seen my local pair yet (sadly not a bird seen at New Hythe...yet :-)
Was hoping to fluke a Spot fly today warren - no chance of a kite - too much lead in the air headed their way up this end sadly.(allegedly!)
Cheers
Davo
Wow! A Red Kite! I feel excited for you! I wish some would come in my direction, especially as I am not that far from their stronghold in Wales. Raptors always hold a special excitement for me and I still haven't got over seeing the Marsh Harrier on my patch several years ago.
Lovely shot of the Holly Blue. I have never seen one of those.
Hi Warren,
Wow the blue bells picture is very imrpessive. It might be beautiful to see that... Well done on the red kite.. I've been out tonight for an hour and a half to get pictures of the ringed neck duck that is five minutes away from home and managed to see a dunlin which is 68 for me now!
Crackin shots Warren, the small copper is stunning, would love to snap one of these. Mike.
Hi Warren.
well done on finding my favourite bird on your pach for the 2nd time this year, the Red Kite. What a majestic bird they are.
Also well done on finding a Small Copper, the Butterfly I mean, not a tiny policeman :-)
Nice photo, and well done of getting you 50 for the day.
Lovely photo of the Small Copper, Warren, I bemoaned the fact that I hadn't seen one for weeks last year then went through a backlog of photos and found I had one all along! No butterflies to be seen here at the moment, (despite a four hour walk two days running) far too cold, although it has warmed up slightly. It was supposed to be wet all day today but they got it completely wrong so that was a nice little bonus :)
Well done with the Red Kite, magnificent birds!
Well done with the Kite, Warren. I shan`t say the same about the plastic Barnacle, tho ;-)
...the bluebells in the wet woods are beautiful. It must be wonderful to look out and see the sweeping color. Sounds like the Red Kite was a big hit. Also loved the butterfly...
A cracking morning for sure! What a gorgeous photo of the small copper, Warren! Love seeing your goldfinch as usual, diff from ours in the US...congrats on such a nice go at your patch.
Great to read of the Red Kite sighting Warren and the Small Copper pic is a treat. Linda
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