The last of the rain moved NE early this morning, when by 07: 00hrs blue skies appeared with just a few scattered clouds.
I only had a little over two hours out on patch, as I had planned a trip to Bough Beech reservoir later in the morning, but that was enough time for a circuit of Migrant Alley, plus a look at the Greenhouse Grounds and the associated Copse.
I noted 3 CHIFFCHAFF at the Greenhouse Grounds, plus there were at least 5 more in the Greenhouse Copse, where a few BLUE TITS, GREAT TITS and CHAFFINCH had also gathered along the copses sunny side.
My circuit of the pasture and paddocks of Migrant Alley didn't reveal any chats today, but a YELLOW WAGTAIL flew up from the pasture, along with at least 5 MEADOW PIPITS. Overhead the dozen or so local SWALLOWS were joined at times by passage Swallows, as well as a few HOUSE MARTINS plus the now daily flyovers SISKIN, of which at least 6 were seen. A GREY HERON, 7 HERRING GULLS and 2 BLACK HEADED GULLS were also noted flying over, as I watched firstly a BUZZARD soaring over, then a SPARROWHAWK speeding past. Walking back past the Greenhouse Grounds I could see the female KESTREL perched on its nest box, the male was flying up above calling, more of note though was a COMMON WHITETHROAT, quite a late one for my patch, with only 4 other records later than this date.
My visit to Bough Beech Reservoir later in the morning was mainly to try and connect with the Phalarope that was seen there two days ago, of which there seemed to be some argument over weather it was Grey or Red necked, anyway, it wasn't there today! We went on to find 47 other species though, the highlight being an Avocet. Lesser highlights included Hobby, Buzzards-a-plenty, and KESTREL, plus lots of SAND MARTINS, HOUSE MARTINS, and SWALLOWS moving through. A KINGFISHER was seen well, but distantly, as was a Snipe. It was good to see a Lapwing flock of 30-40 birds as well, a sight that is becoming rarer nowdays.
I took a few photo's today, but have had no time to edit them yet, something for a later post :-)
4 comments:
So you've been on a twitch Warren, and worse still dipped on it, and even more worse, no pics in the post....Oh Dear!!
Warren ,
Had hoped to see that Phalarope too , but it was only seen late afternoon Tuesday
and was not seen early Wednesday , before the deluge , from what I read .
Pete,
Yes, i'm afraid i did go on a twitch, it was only 30 mins up the road, so why not ;-)
As for the pics, well i just ran out of time to edit them yesterday, plenty of images for fridays post though mate!
Greenie,
It probably drowned !
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