This afternoon, after a particularly hard mornings work, I felt pretty tired, (at least i've now got the next week off) and I only managed to drag myself over to my skywatching seat at Migrant Alley, there I sat, watching and waiting, and almost nodding off at times as the the hot sun beat down. Not a single raptor was seen to go over, just a single immature BLACK HEADED GULL and two HERRING GULLS gave any interest. Behind me, in the tall hedge, a DUNNOCK and ROBIN were calling, and behind that, in the Greenhouse Complex Grounds a WHITETHROAT was scolding. An hour later it began to cloud over, and the wind got up, making it feel fresher, giving me the energy for a quick walk round the horse paddocks before going back home. This turned out to be a fortunate decision, for as I scanned along one of the fence lines, I spied the first Autumn WHEATEAR (62), to visit Migrant alley, this is an early one! The only other July record of this welcome Migrant was back in 2003, when an exceptionally early bird turned up on the 12th.
That takes the months total to 62, a much better total than I thought I would get a week ago ! This month now moves on to joint 5th (out of nine) in the July rankings.
The only photographs I took were of this Holly Blue Butterfly
.............and this Bank Vole that was below my garden feeders
5 comments:
Sounds like your week off is not a moment too soon Warren. Look forward to seeing what you get up to!
Not even seen a STFV yet this year Warren - great pic of a tricky small mammal.
Cheers
Davo
It had that feel this morning - I scanned my paddocks for a Whinchat or something of the like but not as lucky as you - welld one mate!
adam
Well done with the (early) Wheatear, Warren. I`ll probably have to wait till Sept for one.
How nice of the wheatear to make an early show for your July count! :o) Nice shots of the vole and the Holly blue, wonder which berry blossom it's on.
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