Friday 7 October 2011

October 7th 2011

I ended up soaked doing me shopping so had not intended on visiting the pond this morning but Mark saved the day offering a couple of hours so we walked out to the sewage farm and back. Considering the strength of the cold north westerly wind it was a disappointing first hour with only Rock Pipit, 3 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover seen until just after 11am the wind strength lessened, cloud cover broke and skies brightened which resulted in scores of Skylark and Meadow Pipits to appear heading south, two flocks of Golden Plover numbering 9 and 4 heading west, a very large Wheatear presumed to be Northern, 2 Egyptian Geese came in over farborough bank but continued out over the country park, 4 Grey Wagtails landed in front of us and adult Yellow-legged Gull arrived. Two more Rock Pipits noted on the way back.

Met up with Dave in the afternoon and came across a very active mixed tit flock on Napton on the Hill numbering well over 250 birds and the biggest flock I have recorded in Warwickshire. Blue and Great Tits were in the majority but the flock also included at least 20 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 20 Goldcrest, 15 Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, 3 Treecreeper and 3 Nuthatch. It was just stunning to watch as they passed by and disappeared down towards the village. Another 4 Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Raven, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush and Blackcap seen else where on the hill.

Skies clear tonight so while observing Jupiter both Skylark and Redshank heard going over garden but its bloody cold so no moths have arrived yet.

Richard

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