Saturday 21 August 2010

First fall of the Autumn


This morning had a good feel and we had the first fall of the autumn. A few birds must have been grounded after yesterday's torrential rain and thunder storms.
Passage birds included 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a superb Whinchat above the cemetery, a Yellow Wagtail over, 2 Tree Pipits, a Grasshopper warbler flushed from the limestone pavements, 30+ phyllosc warblers with many bright juvenle Willow Warblers amongst them. 20+ Wheatears were also on the limestone pavements. Usually associated with later autumn passage, a female Reed Bunting was a surprise alng the limestone wall. 2 Grey wagtails were the first of the autumn while Blackcap and Whitethroats were also present. Hirundines were on the move with 50+ Swallows through and a few House Martins.
Large flocks of Goldfinches are building up with an estimated 200+ birds around. Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Linnets and a single Bullfinch were also present. Autumn has started!

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