Sunday 17 July 2011

The first couple of hours this morning were far from a classic summers day, but it was the best part of the day, from 8:00am onwards the day deteriorated into heavy blustery showers.

I only got half way round the walk, before calling it a day, the wind was blowing and the rain was starting to fall, a shame, as i had already amassed 45 species, two more than the whole of yesterdays walk.

A KINGFISHER was again seen in the College Grounds, this time over where the Stream runs through. BLACKCAP and CHIFFCHAFF gave some brief song along the streamside banks, while further into the College Gardens I located one of the SPOTTED FLYCATCHER families, and heard at least 2 young calling. WHITETHROATS were seen in places where I haven't been seeing them over this summer, indicating that passage birds are moving through, and two TURTLE DOVES zipped through, but these were likely local birds.

In the ever clouding over sky, SWIFTS continued to be seen in good numbers, some feeding low down with the SWALLOWS over the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley, with them was a lone SAND MARTIN, maybe it was the same one seen on Friday evening? The only other flyovers noted were HERRING GULL, GREY HERON, CORMORANT, and a skein of 15 GREYLAG GEESE.

In all, a mostly forgetable weekends wildlife watching, but some incentive was had from seeing the migrant Sand Martins, at least things seem to be on the change now :-)

I tried to get some ''blog brighteners'' from the garden, but the spells between the heavy showers were fast diminishing, so it was a difficult task!
The GREENFINCH'S kept munching on though!

This GREAT TIT looked a bit peeved in a passing rain shower

7 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

The Great Tit isn't the only one peeved with passing - aka torrential downpours

Stay dry Warren

Cheers

Davo

Warren Baker said...

Isn't it woeful Dave !!! :-)

Anonymous said...

You did well to get any shots then, Warren. Only light showers for us up here.

Marc Heath said...

At least if all else fails, you have a selection of good garden birds to watch and photograph. Roll on the summer holidays I say, 5 days to go!!

Jason K said...

Blasted weather Warren...still you've still got to get out there...dont want to miss anything! I hope it improves for a weeks time though as I'm off camping down the New Forest

Bob Bushell said...

There is a week full of rain, overcast and pretty well stuffed. Never mind, ugh.

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Warren, I'm still waiting for Sand Martin, hopefully will be soon. It would have helped if I'd got out at the weekend!! Like the PH on the previous post, nice one.