After 3 weeks off the patch due to holidays ,today was the first opportunity to cover the patch fully. As I had only managed a couple of short midweek visits when there had been a few good birds around I was thinking that I may have missed a few migrants when I was away.
The weather forecast promised northerly winds and rain showers so I was hopeful when I set out this morning , The weather was bright blue skies and a gentle breeze.
It was obvious that the seasons are changing with the first flock of 8 Meadow Pipits heading over south calling.
In the hedges were 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, also a female Reed Bunting was a nice surprise, not a bird we see a lot around here. It was good to find 2 Blackcaps feeding on elderberries, all these warblers will be feeding up before they head south , some will be well on their way now.
Birds of prey were a male Sparrowhawk, female Kestrel and 4 Buzzard, also a Raven passed over.
Overhead 22 plus House Martins and 16 plus Swallows passed over ( good numbers earlier in the week ,so good evidence that most of the birds we are seeing here are from elsewhere .
Best of the rest were a Bullfinch and 7 Stock Dove, a Comarant passed upriver.
Normal service is now resumed !
