Sunday October 6

A very pleasant morning for a stroll, sunny with a light north-westerly. Stroll we did, seeing birds, not so much.

A party of about 25 Redwings shortly after we got going was not the herald of significant visible migration. Three Stonechats remained in the chat field, several Jays flew back and forth on their usual mission to cache as many acorns as possible, and a couple of Swallows were taking advantage of the numerous flying insects.

At the flash field there had been an increase in Teal to 54, but Shovelers remain stable at 12, Mallard at 76, Greylag Geese totalled at least 208, and 35 Lapwings and three Snipe were the only waders.

The hedgerows are full of berries

The morning's highlight was seen a Barn Owl fully awake in the back of the barn which it tends to use only in response to overnight rain. We chose not to disturb it, so no photo was taken.

Insects on the wing included several Red Admirals, Commas, Migrant Hawkers, and unidentified Darters.

We have a theory that the lack of migration is due to heavy rain on the east coast blocking everything from proceeding further. The birders there will be having a fantastic time, once they dry out.