Sunday September 28

An unseasonably warm, still day. Dave and I arrived at about the same time, and the first 25 minutes was quite encouraging.

At least 25 Reed Buntings joined small numbers of Chaffinches and Greenfinches to feast on seeds in game cover at Netherstead. Also present in the area were two Stonechats.

Stonechat

A Mistle Thrush, which flew over, was the first since last winter. At least six Swallows and a House Martin were hangers on from the summer, and a few Chiffchaffs were still around. Technically I got a shot of a Treecreeper for the year list, but its pretty poor so I am going to gamble that I'll get a better opportunity before the year is out.

At this point we should probably have got in our cars and gone home. The remainder of the morning produced 25 Teal at the flash, three Snipe at the pool, a Green Sandpiper back at Netherstead, and a couple of Ravens.

The warm weather was good for insects, and we recorded Common Darter, Migrant Hawker, and a Hornet.

 Not particularly memorable.

Mike on the other hand is in the middle of a purple patch. Not content with finding a Short-eared Owl a week ago, he returned from his hols and headed straight for his patch where he recorded a bird not yet on the Morton Bagot list. A Water Rail. Having seen the habitat there, I did fancy his chances of getting one.

For my patch, the wait goes on.