Other (belated) news from the patch - a pair of Spotted Flycatchers attempted to nest in a location near to Stone church. The birds were present for a number of weeks but then disappeared a month or so back with no evidence of successful breeding (JC).
This afternoon TS and I went to Grimley Gravel pits. The Camp Lane pits were the most productive with 4 Little Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and an Oystercatcher present. Small numbers of Sand Martins and Swallows were over the water, as were 8 Common Terns. A Sedge Warbler was feeding insects to young in a bush along the causeway and a Common Whitethroat was in the hedgerow along South Pool. 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebe were seen with a total of 5 juveniles on the main pool. A little Grebe was also seen feeding a youngster there.
Wagon Wheel Lane pits were very quiet with only Gadwalls, Tufted Ducks and Canada Geese present. A single Brown Argus butterfly was seen near the pumping station and a Holly Blue was on the brambles at the top of Wagon Wheel Lane.
Juvenile Great Crested Grebe - Grimley 11th August 2010:
Are you expecting Wheatear and Whinchat to pass through your patch Jason ? Its been disappointing here this august so far, not one chat, yellow wag or wheatear :-(
ReplyDeleteYep there seems to be very little movement of the afformented birds at the moment. I usually get small numbers of all the above on autumn passage. Al we can do Warren is keep at it checking out our local patches...I'm sure there will be some movement soon!
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