You will be relieved to hear I finally added MISTLE THRUSH (61) to the months list, two flew over Migrant Alley, plus I found two almost fully fledged MANDARIN DUCK (62) in the Wet Woods, the first time I have found them in there this month, there are so many places for them to hide in there though :-)
More good news was the sighting of two newly fledged SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS at the College Grounds, I don't think these are from the pair that lost there original brood, it's a bit too soon for them to have raised another brood yet, this is the other pair, lets hope for better luck for this attempt :-)
Raptors today included a lone BUZZARD that flew from concealment at the Scrubby Woods, the KESTREL family, and a SPARROWHAWK. Other notables were a singing TURTLE DOVE in the Wooded Headland at Migrant Alley, a KINGFISHER was again on one of the ponds at the College Grounds, and those sometimes hard to find species like, BULLFINCH, COAL TIT, TREECREEPER, LONG TAILED TIT, and GOLDCREST all showed up today.
Flyovers from CORMORANT, GREY HERON, LESSER BLACK BACKED and HERRING GULL, plus a few small skeins of GREYLAG GEESE helped push the daylist along, just one HOUSE MARTIN and one SWIFT were seen, along with a possible Sand Martin, but that flew into the sun and disappeared, that would have been a new one for the months list, which with today's two additions stands at 62, the joint 7th best July total, joint with 2002.
Only a few photographs were taken today.
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| Greylag Geese on the paddocks at Migrant Alley |
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| Immature GREENFINCH |
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| Heavily moulting BLACKBIRD |
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| This is the Buzzard that flew from the Scrubby Woods |
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| Finally, another Common Darter |
9 comments:
Patch Manadarin ducks are welcome any time of year I reckon Warren. There have only ever been 2 records at Shenstone
I wouldn't mind a Mandarin Duck to photograph at the moment. A little tough today with the camera hardly making an appearance. Not sure if I can even muster up enough energy to write a report. Your photography is certainly heading in the right direction Warren.
Jase,
Mandarins are pretty scarce here, although a pair has bred for the past two years :-)
Thanks Marc,
The light is very harsh, even at 8:00 in the morning - but at least it is light :-)
Some great pics Warren, the Darter is superb.
You should be hired to snap Common Darter pics. I think everyone of them is perfect:) Glad you keep having that sunshine:)
Warren ,
And there was you thinking your month had stalled .
Well done with the new additions .
That's a cracking Common Darter pic Warren!
Fingers crossed for the SF fledglings :-)
I had a very close encounter with a Common Buzzard yesterday but was so taken back I couldn't get the camera on it. It was far less concerned by me ;-)
Thanks Songbird,
I was the same with the Peregrines yesterday Morning, when they got the Turtle Dove :-)
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