I undertook a quick tour of the local patch this afternoon. At first it seemed like it was going to be a 'dead day' but things improved when a cracking Hobby came through over Heath Lane. The other highlight of the visit was at Witch Lane where the flock of Lapwing has increased to 43.
Monday 2nd September
I started today's visit at Captain's Pool. The pool itself was very quiet on the bird front with notables being a Grey Heron and 3 Black-headed Gulls.
Things were much better on the invert front with 1 Migrant Hawker, 1 ♀ Common Darter, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 1 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Speckled Wood and a Large White all recorded along the dam.
At Stanklyn Lane paddocks there were 2 juvenile Green Woodpeckers present' A moulting adult Robin was present at 'Redstart hedge'
At Heath Lane there were c.200 Starlings, 8 Mistle Thrush, 2 Chiffchaffs and a charm of 12 Goldfinch present.
Red Admiral
Common Darter ♀
Tuesday 3rd September
Today I paid a dusk visit to the patch to look for owls & mammals armed with my binoculars and bat detector. Things were pretty quite this evening though I did see a Little Owl was seen over one of the paddocks and a Noctule bat was active over Heath lane.
Wednesday 4th September
This afternoon's visit proved quite productive with a Whinchat new in and perched up on Fat Hen at Butts Lane, Stone. This is the 4th juvenile Whinchat on the patch this autumn and its definitely a good year for them this year here. It's a pity I cannot say the same about Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail having not recorded either on the patch this migration period!
Also of interest in the Butts Lane area today were 2 Clouded Yellow, 1 Common Blue, 3 Speckled Wood and a Migrant Hawker.
Whinchat (record shot)
Saturday 7th September
It was fairly quiet around the patch today with only a few highlights. On the hedgerow at Heath Lane paddock a juvenile Common Whitethroat and a juvenile Chiffchaff were present.
In the Witch Lane area, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lapwing and a Brown Rat were recorded.
Tuesday 10th September
Today I undertook a walk around the Butts Lane area and flushed 13 Meadow Pipits that were feeding near the public footpath. Also recorded on the walk were 3 Skylarks & 5 Linnets.
Along Barrs Lane I was pleased to find the pupa of a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly hanging from the underside of a Nettle leaf.
At Stanklyn Lane paddocks there were 3 Green Woodpeckers (1 adult & 2 juv) and 18 Goldfinch present.
Small Tortoiseshell Pupa
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Sounds like you have got out a bit, I'm having the same trouble with Wheatear but have managed the odd Yellow Wag this autumn.
ReplyDeleteIt's really odd Alan...I usually do really well for autumn Wagtails both flyovers and down in the fields but not this year.
ReplyDeleteWheatear on its way to you soon Jase, I can feel it!
ReplyDeleteGreat set of shots...and some nice species there, Jase.
ReplyDelete