Dave & I started at Netherstead as usual, and soon noticed there was a steady trickle of Meadow Pipits going south. We eventually logged 35, and heard a fly-over Redpoll. There was also plenty of passerine activity in the hedgerows and reedbed. Most were various species of Tit, but we also recorded Reed Warbler, two Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, and several Chiffchaffs.
Arriving at the bridlepath Dave spotted a Whinchat on the fence, and we eventually counted three of them plus a Reed Bunting and a Meadow Pipit with very white wing-bars. While we were waiting for the latter to reappear (which it didn't) we noticed another Pipit at the top of an old willow. We quickly realised it was a Tree Pipit.
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| The Tree Pipit |
This is a half decent bird in Warwickshire, but the species has shown itself to be surprisingly regular here in autumn. I have recorded them in four out of six years, but this was only the second that wasn't a dot, calling as it flew south. In fact this bird didn't call at all, but was obliging enough to allow me to get some shots away before it dropped into the long grass and disappeared.
We continued onwards, Dave drawing my attention to a Hobby that zipped past us at close range. I was jotting something in my notebook at the time, which shows the value of having two observers looking. The flash contained 39 Teal and just one Green Sandpiper, but our return circuit produced three Spotted Flycatchers and the first two Wheatears of the autumn to round off another good visit.
Hello Richard! You should come over here and visit; we get some birds in our yard that are very odd-looking indeed. I should probably start keeping a camera handy! Regards to Lyn from Abby (your parents' American other daughter)
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