Thursday 30 September 2010

The final patch visit of the month was undertaken in some calm, and at times, sunny weather, which made a change from recent visits!

I spent an hour around the lakes and scrub area, after passing through an almost birdless Wet Woods, it won't liven up in there until later next month. The Lake again had a GREY HERON fishing from the shallows, and once again there were plenty of MOORHEN, but there were fewer MALLARD today, and no Kingfisher or surprise Duck species to get excited about.

In the surrounding vegetation a decent size Honey suckle grows, and I spent a good 40mins watching the Tit species come and go, feeding on the berries and insects on the plant, I saw BLUE TIT, GREAT TIT, COAL TIT and MARSH TIT all visiting the bush, I also heard Marsh Tit calling whilst trying to photograph another, so there are now two overwintering on my patch :-)

After getting some photo's I moved off over to Migrant Alley, via the Tree Nursery, seeing some of the normal run of the mill stuff, lots of JAYS and GREEN WOODPECKERS especially. Both KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK went over, but they were the only Raptors about today.

At Migrant Alley I again watched the MEADOW PIPITS, PIED WAGTAILS, LINNETS and SKYLARKS, but long looks around the fence lines didn't produce that late Chat or Wheatear. Very few Hirundines were about today, just one group of about 20 HOUSE MARTIN went over and only 2 SWALLOWS, whilst in the Greenhouse Complex Grounds a CHIFFCHAFF was found, the only other summer species left now.

With no additions to the Months list today, September finished on 73 Species, failing to beat last years september record total of 78, however this year was the second best September total. I think without the handicap of having to work, I may well of picked up species such as Reed and Sedge Warbler, Mute Swan, Lapwing, or Garden Warbler.

The Combined September list for the 9 years of recording is now on 89, the Curlew being the only new addition this year.

Below is the Marsh Tit at the Honey suckle

Then a couple of Coal Tit Photo's


A ROBIN
Lastly a view through the very quiet 'Wet Woods'






13 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

Warren,

It'll be interesting to see what your count for tomorrow afternoon is - don't forget your brollie!

Warren Baker said...

Too right Derek,
Ive seen the weather - that should fill your pools up :-)

Derek Faulkner said...

It'll make a start if nothing else. Last night's deluge hadn't made much impression other than wetting the mud. Had 280 Brent Geese in The Swale, my first of the autumn.

Warren Baker said...

About time one of those Brents flew over my patch Derek :-)

Derek Faulkner said...

Greedy bugger - only if you send Marsh Tit and Tree Creeper this way.

Greenie said...

Warren ,
I'd start Octobers list on Saturday if I were you .
73 is still a very good number for September .
Re. the 25+ Small Coppers seen today , they were nearly all pristine , probably 3rd. brood , and could go on to the end of October given fair conditions .

Warren Baker said...

Greenie,
I'll keep a look out for them then, just not tomorrow yea !

Bob Bushell said...

I'll bet your patch was a good one.

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Try not to get too wet tomorrow Warren - I'll be hoping for a 30+ start for you

Cheers

Davo

Ipin said...

Marsh Tit and green woodpecker would be patch ticks and I've only had one treec here - I'd swap you a barred or yellow-browed for a green woodpecker!

Anonymous said...

All the best for the October count, Warren. Hope it`s not too wet a start for either of us.

ShySongbird said...

Although not quite what you wanted, a very respectable September tally and quite impossible for some of us!

Lovely photos today, that Robin is gorgeous :)

Hope you don't get drenched today!

Chris said...

Hi Warren,
73 is a nice score... Still have to count how many I saw in France but got some nice addition there on my list... I also have to count how many total species I've seen this year, I guess it is over 150.... But here, man, it is raining constantly and I caught a very nice bacteria infection with some strong fever... I'm time to time getting better, like now, but man, wow what a stupid bacteria!!