Sunday September 13

Another sunny morning, this time with a very light southerly. I was joined by Dave for the first time in a while, but we were destined for a pretty quiet visit.

The four Whinchats were still present, and I managed to see two high flying parties of Siskins totalling 22 birds heading south-east and heard several other calls suggesting that the actual numbers going over was considerably higher.

Scanning the distant ridge field from Netherstead, we saw a flock of 200 finches take flight, but by the time we reached that area following a full circuit there was no sign of any of them. I imagine they were a mixture of Greenfinches and Goldfinches as Linnets have been surprisingly scarce since the breeding season.

Warblers included four Whitethroats and two Lesser Whitethroats, and the flash field contained 41 Teal, 14 Snipe and four Green Sandpipers.

A few dragonflies were flying in the sunshine, including a Migrant Hawker.

Migrant Hawker

Common Darter

Whinchat

We returned to the dragonfly pools where I am sorry to report that the fish is dead, it is no more, it is a late fish, it has ceased to be etc etc. apologies to Monty Python. Looking on the bright side, Osprey bait?

Ex - fish

Back at our cars, as we reflected on a pretty steady visit, a single Grey Wagtail headed south-east, a reminder that we are still in the migration season.