Saturday 8 September 2012

Migrant Alley first thing this morning
After the early morning mist cleared, it became sunny and very warm, during the 6 hour visit, of mixed fortunes, I recorded just 43 species, the summer birds among them were few, but included the likes of WHITETHROAT, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF and small numbers of the local SWALLOWS.

Single Whitethroats were found in the Tree Nursery, and College Grounds, and single Blackcaps were at the College Grounds and Greenhouse grounds, with 4-5 at the Scrubby woods, Chiffchaffs were in just about every habitat I looked at, many had arrived overnight.

A GREY WAGTAIL was at the pump station in the Greenhouse Grounds, where two WHEATEAR were sat up on the greenhouse rooves, not that often I see them here, I took a record shot  :-)
One of the Wheatears on the Greenhouse Rooves
Many of the regular woodland species were picked up as I walked through the Small Holding, Wet Woods and Scrubby Woods, the likes of TREECREEPER, NUTHATCH, GOLDCREST, BULLFINCH, and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER were all found, no Coal Tit today though, one of many regular species that eluded me this morning, like Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, and surprisingly Linnet, at this time of year I would expect a flock of 30-40 at Migrant Alley. On the lakes just a GREYLAG GOOSE, 2 CANADA GEESE, 3 MALLARDS and 4 MOORHEN were seen.

Flyovers were few, but I had a CORMORANT, a GREY HERON plus HERRING and BLACK HEADED GULLS go over, only two Raptor species were up hunting - Common BUZZARD, and KESTREL, the Sparrowhawk was another missing off the list today.
Kestrel - One of a pair seen
Kestrel
This afternoon I had another patch visit, mainly to look around Migrant Alley, where all was quiet still, but an hours sky watching from my seat produced a nice surprise - another OSPREY! It was seen off by a Buzzard, and was always too high for a photo - unfortunately!

Photo's I did take were :-
LONG TAILED TIT, with breakfast, one of a flock of seven at the College Grounds, they were with a team of Chiffchaffs, i'll post photo's of them on tomorrows post  :-)
Immature GOLDFINCH





8 comments:

Ken. said...

Warren.
Getting a bit greedy with the Ospreys. Love the contrast of the Wheatear with the nice blue sky behind.
Hoope your September list is coming along ok.

Warren Baker said...

Hi Ken,
Septenber list is on 64 species, the 6th best September out of the 11 .......so far :-)

Pete Woodruff said...

Another interesting account with excellent pics, not least of which are the ones of the Kestrel.

Your continued enthusiasm is second to none Warren.

Marc Heath said...

Bloody greedy Warren, send one to Reculver please.

Rohrerbot said...

Another great set of shots today Warren. That opening shot is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Excellent...as always Warren.

Jason K said...

Your doing well with Wheeatear this auitumn Warren. I have only recorded a single one on passage at Shenstone

Warren Baker said...

Hi jase,
Should get a few more before the months out....hopefully!