Monday 7 November 2011

Another very dark and grey winters day here, very apt then, that I should add GREYLAG GOOSE (55) to months list as I walked into work this morning, a skein of 34 flew over, then on the walk home a GREY WAGTAIL (56) was seen feeding on the manure heap at the College Stables. The sighting of the day however, was a few moments later, when the magnificent sight of at least 160 LAPWINGS lifting off from the Pub Field and flying overhead was witnessed, the only thing missing was finding a Golden Plover amongst them  :-)

After getting home and having a quick bite to eat I set off over to the Pub Field, just to see if there were any more Lapwing there, or maybe a possible Golden plover, on the way as I crossed the Tree Nursery, a COMMON BUZZARD flew out of the Wet Woods, it headed straight for me, giving some cracking views, it hung about for a few minutes circling my patch, until it got fed up with the mobbing CARRION CROWS, and moved off. When I reached the Pub Field, I found just a single Lapwing, with a dozen BLACK HEADED GULLS and the usual assortment of Corvids.

I made my way over to the Lakes and Scrubby Woods next, and was surprised to find a Common Darter Dragonfly still actively hunting at the edge of the Wet Woods. Over on the Lakes it was again a case of counting the MALLARD and MOORHEN with 23 of the former and 7 of the latter, while the Scrubby Woods was home to BULLFINCH, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, SISKIN, and a couple of REDWING that were guzzling the Hawthorn berries. A small flock of FIELDFARE flew over, as did two LESSER REDPOLL, but the light was now fading fast ( what little there was to start with!) so I made a quick visit to Migrant Alley, here the only notable sighting was of 5 MEADOW PIPITS and 2 SKYLARK out on the pasture.


8 comments:

Rob said...

I'd like to have seen all those Lapwings, Warren. Very attractive and entertaining birds.

Alan Pavey said...

Your list for the month is ticking along nicely Warren and those Lapwings must have been great, I think 60 or so is my record here.

Warren Baker said...

Hi Rob, Alan.
Ive not had this big a flock of Lapwings for some years now :-)

Bob Bushell said...

I am impressed of your work on the travelling through the patch. I love it. No pictures today?

Warren Baker said...

Just not enough light out there today for photo's Bob :-(

Marc Heath said...

I had a few Lapwings as well today Warren, just c1000 birds moving west at Reculver. A lovely sight as they made their way over the sea. These miserable days are not helping me or the camera out!

Chris said...

Same stuff over here sir, jsut rain after rain, storm after sotrm but hopefully this one will bring some vagrants ;-) We just have to be patient I guess, once again ;-)

Anonymous said...

Grey & miserable up here too, Warren. But i managed to stay 1 species ahread.