September 19th 2009

I was out early checking the traps at Cock Robin with 88 moths of 25 species a very poor showing for the first night of National Moth Night this weekend with Autumnal Rustic and Purple bar the best of the catch.

Purple Bar (this one was taken last year at ryton)
Once done it was down to the pond with the Pectorial Sandpiper still present feeding along side a Wood Sandpiper and 2 Dunlin while the Rock Pipit was still present among the Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits. The post roost had juvenile Med Gull again and adult Yellow-legged Gull while the sleeping Bar-tailed Godwit on the inlet needed two attempts to see it. A Common Sandpiper also there.
The Country Park was cooking with a few warblers including 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Bullfinch, 15 Goldfinch and a Redstart while the trees at the top car park had over 500 House Martin resting and soon attracted a Hobby. Also seen were Buzzard, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Grey Wagtail and Stock Dove.
Visiting photographers have still not caught on to the issues raised by them being on the shore line, they may not be flushing the Pec but they are certainly stopping other birds feeding or resting on the shore line or in the nearby willow scrub. In the end my tolerance levels snapped and had a barney with the scumbags.
After dinner Napton on the Hill still had 2 Wheatear plus 4 Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher and Hobby but could not get to grips with a possible Honey Buzzard that flew west being mobbed by swallows and martins.

Richard