I headed for the lakes first thing this morning, rather than the farmland parts of my patch, hoping for a visiting duck species other than MALLARD, but alas just those were present, as is the case 99% of the time!
Walking back across the Ashes Lane Fields I noted at least 150 HOUSE MARTINS, along with a few SWALLOWS buzzing around the sheep pasture, as I watched them all, a couple of YELLOW WAGTAILS flew through, while in the distance 2 SPARROWHAWKS circled menacingly.
Over at the Greenhouse Grounds a CHIFFCHAFF was singing, but more pleasingly, I also saw my first YELLOWHAMMER (70) of the month (and the last!) alight on a battered hedgerow. The male KESTREL was on one of the Greenhouses, plus a few PIED WAGTAILS were present.
A short sky watch over Migrant Alley was good for more Swallows and House Martins, as well as a passage of MEADOW PIPITS, plus, as is usual on a sunny morning, BUZZARDS were watched soaring over the area.
The final tally of species recorded for the month was 70, which puts it in 9th place of the 15 Septembers recorded so far, a bit disappointing, as the mean average number of species for the last five Septembers is 74, with the record September tally at 78.
SONGTHRUSH at the Greenhouse Grounds
CARRION CROW on the fence line at Migrant Alley
Butterflies seen today included Comma, Small white, Red Admiral and Painted Lady
The only Odonata species seen were a few worn Common Darters.
3 comments:
Our Osprey seems to have gone but has been replaced by a Pallid Harrier, hopefully we won't have loads of bloody twitchers tomorrow.
Now what would you have said to me if I had expressed that sentiment Derek ?
Mmmm, guess you're right.
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