Three local Swan Swans were on the move today over the watchpoint. I’m pretty sure these birds are from nearby Harold Park as both have yellow rings.
Two of the tree birds just showing their yellow rings
Mute Swans…
Masses of Thrushes…
There was an excellent movement of thrushes this morning but the majority were east of the watchpoint. Please see my notes:http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/779/20161017.
Song Thrush moving north
Fieldfares arriving from the N/E
What was interesting was 4 low flying Alba Wagtails that came in from the N all the birds were calling but 2 calls were slightly ‘ softer ‘ than the other 2 and these birds were cleaner and greyer backed..yes White Wagtails…great..
4 Kestrel passed through as well which was a welcome sight and very unusual
Goldfinches…and the demise of a Magpie…
Despite the fog it was a good morning at the watchpoint. Please see my sightings at http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/779/20161015. There has been excellent numbers of Goldfinches passing through the sight and this morning at least 50+ were ‘ tree hopping ‘ because of the fog.
Mid afternoon and Goldfinches still about at Caldene Fields.
I witnessed something today that I have never witnessed whilst birding before…A Magpie was been harassed by some other Magpies…nothing unusual in that..But the Magpie then laid down on the floor and opened it’s wings and let the other Magpies attack it. It never tried to defend it’s self. The attacking Magpies eventually killed the other Magpie. I thought it was possible for food but no. Once it was dead they flew. I felt as though the bird wanted to die..I wondered if the bird was poorly and the other bird knew and it was natures way that they put it out of it’s misery.
Plenty of migration…
Another good day at the watchpoint with thrushes moving to the S/W, W and N. A total of 2,091 Redwings, 38 Fieldfare, 17 Song Thrush and 9 Blackbirds were recorded. There was a good showing of Jackdaws and I noticed predawn that 300+ left a roost somewhere over the Wyke area and headed S/W followed by a further 139 recorded throughout the watch.
From mid October Herring Gulls move through our area and I am wanting to find either a Yellow Legged Gull or better still a Caspian Gull…
Sadly this is neither..It’s a First winter Herring Gull L.a argenteus moving W.
Goldfinches are also featuring very well with local birds mixed in with birds moving S/W and some to the N a total of 193 were recorded today.
Look out for the winter thrushes…
It was a good morning at the watch point this morning with Redwings 981, Song Thrushes 19, Blackbirds 15 and 3 Fieldfare all basically moving S/W although a few Songs and Blackbirds ventured north.
And this Rowan at the watchpoint must be a welcome sight..
There was however, frustration in that 5 Swans Sp came in from the S/E but extremely high making a confirmed ID impossible. Also during the last couple of days Jackdaws have been moving also to the S/W with a 166 recorded this morning. With all this avian activity it’s feast time for the predators at least 2 Sparrow Hawks were patrolling the skies.
Last night was the last night of moth trapping for 2016 with a single Large yellow underwing caught.
New moth species…
Found a Green-brindled Crescent at Caldene Fields last night which is a new species for our area.
Green-brindled Crescent F. capucina which is the dark brown form.
Yesterday at Toad Holes beck there was a Comma butterfly and a Common Darter enjoying the sun.
Record breaker…
What a day at the visible migration watch point…a record breaking 1,902 Meadow Pipit flew south recorded from 06.50 till 10.20 and then again at 15.30 till 16.30..
Just one of the Meadow pipit…caught in flight over Caldene Fields.
Plus a total of 17 Meadow Pipits were found resting up before moving off again south.
Also of interest were 2 Crossbills that flew west directly overhead, 2 Goosander S/W and a Common Buzzard drifted east
Rare event…
Today in the sunshine and the brisk wind I glanced what I thought was a dragonfly at Caldene Fields. A closer look and I was right it was a Southern Hawker and it was egg laying! A fairly rare event to see one egg laying in late September.
The dragonfly was in excellent condition suggesting that it had hatched recently and appeared to be desperate to lay her eggs, which she did several times.
Meadow Pipits push south…
Firstly what a stunning pre dawn it was this morning just prior to starting my visible migration watch at Caldene Fields.
However, this soon changed to 100% white cloud which was great as this coincided with Meadow Pipits moving south in very good numbers. A total of 586 were recorded and in the first hour after dawn a party consisting of 64 was noted.
Recent sightings…
Their was a slight movement of Swallow 103 and Goldfinches 73 this morning over Caldene Fields moving to the west.
A Diamondbacked moth and a Parsnip moth was also at the site the latter been a second ever record.
Whilst neighbouring Wyke is not in our recording area it was interesting to receive a bird report from Phil: On the 14th Sept 24 Canada Geese flew right over roof flying towards Hell Fire Corner Wyke Lion direction.
15/9/16 4 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 83 Swallow South West, along with 12 House Martin, most seen at anyone time this year, 48 Black Headed Gull, North, in one V shaped group, 1 Willow Warbler in garden.
Today 16/9/16 I had 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler in my garden so far, been a good year for Willow Warbler this year, photographed one which i picked up after flying into window. Flew off after a drink and a warm in my hand.
