Saturday 15 October 2011

October 15th 2011

It was a stunning morning if you were out and about early with my first frost of autumn, low lying mist and both Jupiter and our moon fighting for attention as we waited patiently trackside at Wormleighton for 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe hauling a Solihull to Bristol special to come thundering past.



Again overnight migration soon dwindled after mid-morning but managed 200 Redwing, 50 Fieldfare and 2 Siskin over an almost empty reservoir while locally there were Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Tree Sparrow, Nuthatch and my first Lesser-spotted Woodpecker for the location for many a year. We were standing by the level crossing when it flew over and returned 20 minutes later so probably been experiencing the delights of a local feeding station.
After breakfast we searched Napton on the Hill for migrants but apart from 40 Redwing feeding and a few going over along with Skylark and Fieldfare it was not until late morning that things warmed up with a passage of raptors. In a 40 minute spell 15 Buzzard went over high in singles along with 3 Sparrowhawk and immature Marsh Harrier all heading south and taking no interest in the local populations. Also seen were 12 Raven, 9 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Goldcrest.
The Bridge Nursery gardens had 2 Sothern Hawkers, Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Copper and 3 local Buzzards while the Lemon Meringue Cake in the Just So was scrumptious.
A later afternoon look at the pond produced a calling Snow Bunting over farborough spit but the Spoonbill had long gone, 2 Goldeneye, 23 Wigeon, 2 Dunlin, 2 female Shoveler, Grey Wagtail, 5 Reed Bunting and 2 Siskin. Had considered staying for the roost but with another clear night temperatures were dropping fast so left sharpish but couldn't resist another star gazing session later. Might as well enjoy it as the cloud cover is due to come back next week.




Dave Hutton kindly sent me these images of the Spoonbill and the Napton reservoir Black-necked Grebe which is still present
http://davehutton.zenfolio.com/ Website Birds & Insects etc
http://seeswoodpool.blogspot.com/ Seeswood Pool & Beyond Blog
http://dave-hutton.blogspot.com/ Rare & Scarce Birds Blog

Richard

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