The wait for a Spotted Flycatcher to turn up at the College Grounds, the last place on my patch where they still breed, goes on, as none were found there today. Most of the morning was spent ticking off the regular breeding species here, and looking out for any young produced from them, the late breeding season is obvious now, as nothing yet has been seen of the likes of Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Songthrush, Mistlethrush or Starling, all of which could be anticipated by now.
The more interesting species seen today came from my hours Skywatching at my seat over at Migrant Alley, where the likes of HOUSE MARTIN and SWIFT were seen up hawking for insects with the local SWALLOWS. 5 LESSER BLACK BACK GULLS went over, 3 together and two singly, 6 single HERRING GULLS were also seen, and the scarcer ( for May) BLACK HEADED GULL was recorded when a pair flew over. A pair of GREYLAG GEESE and 4 CANADA GEESE circled low over and headed towards the lakes.
Some excitement was provided today, not by the sun which appeared for a good part of my sky watch, but by the PEREGRINE which I saw being harassed by a HOBBY as it carried its prey. Again, as yesterday, it was a five species of Raptor day, when the likes of BUZZARD, KESTREL and at least 3 SPARROWHAWKS were all observed up hunting.
A bit on the disappointing side not to have found something new for the months list, which is still only in 9th place out of 12. I also need 5 species before the 17 May to get the quickest 100 species for the year, which is looking unlikely now, the likes of Spotted Flycatcher could still turn up, and maybe a Garden warbler, but the other 3 species will be very hard to come by and will probably have to recorded flying over, if at all.
Back to my garden for photo's today!
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| GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER |
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| STARLING |
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| Starling |
5 comments:
Love the first shot of the woodpecker! Great post!
Hello Eileen,
Good to hear from you again :-)
Not the best of weather today was it? Maybe tomorrow will deliver some birds and sunshine.
Fifty sounds very good to me Warren. Lovely photos again. Are they from your shed/hide or through the double glazing if the latter you would never know!
The Spot Fly's wont be long before they return to your patch mate.
Was out yesterday morning with Mark (Doorstep Birding) doing a walk in a quiet corner of the local Wyre Forest and we found our first Spot Fly of the year! So fingers crossed for you Warren
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