September 30th 2010

Once the mist had burnt off the Lesser Scaup attracted a steady stream of admirers at the pond today but frustratingly remained out of range of most photographers.

Bob struggled with this image but shows the wing pattern.

Bob had Ruff and Ringed Plover in toft bay as he walked round while I searched the country park finding male Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Willow Warbler. Overhead there was a movement of Skylark with 148 counted along with 30+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Siskin and a lone first of the autumn Redwing but this died down to a trickle by mid-day. A call from Bob Duckhouse added Rock Pipit to the day list after he had found 2 on toft bank.
Other sightings today included female/immature Pintail out in the centre, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 6 Ringed Plover on outlet, Dunlin, 5 Raven, 13 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
Also noted in the bright sunshine were Common Darter, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, 2 Vapourer Moth, Green-veined White and Comma butterfly.

A late afternoon visit to the Burton Dassett Country Park found no sign of any Ring Ousels but the hills held a few Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, 6 Yellow Wagtails and juvenile Whinchat while nearby Wormleighton had 12 Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Marsh Tit, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank.
A look for owls at Napton on the way home produced 2 Barn and a Little plus 2 Snipe and calling Cetties.


Barred Sallow by Bob Hazell

Richard