The overnight rain had reduced to a light drizzle by the time Dave and I arrived for another morning of trying to find the big one. Gradually the weather improved, and so did the birds.
It was quickly apparent that there wasn't much overhead passage, but fortunately there seemed to be plenty in the hedgerows. A large flock of tits contained four Blackcaps, and a couple of Stonechats. One of these caught a bumblebee and was kind enough to pose.
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| Stonechat - female |
We had a kick through the marsh where the old pool used to be, but it was too dry and failed to produce a single Snipe, and certainly no Jack Snipe.
However our fortunes changed at the flash field. The furthest flash contained about 10 Teal and two Shovelers, and the nearest flash a new Black-tailed Godwit, two Green Sandpipers, 61 Teal, and at least 19 Snipe.
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| Black-tailed Godwit |
We managed to get to our second viewing spot, beneath the trees, without disturbing anything. Indeed while a party of a dozen Black-headed Gulls flew in, distracting Dave, a single Brambling called above the trees. This was my first this year. Unfortunately we were unable to see it, or hear it again, so I'm guessing it must have gone over.
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| A mixture of waders and ducks |
About 30 Redwings exploded from the hedgerow along the brook, and I reckon there were at least six Song Thrushes and a similar number of Blackbirds also enjoying the hawthorn berries on offer.
A party of seven Siskins and several Skylarks and Chaffinches flew west before a larger party of about 25 finches tantalised us with distant views. They were probably also Siskins. Just one Redpoll flew around as we made our way back.
The birds on the flash pool had become quite flighty at one point and we had been debating whether we were the cause, but after a flock of at least 250 Woodpigeons also launched into the air we spotted the real culprit, a marauding Peregrine.
I am always puzzled that the flash pools can be excellent one day, and almost empty the next. I guess there was a bit of a muddy edge today, or perhaps we just struck lucky.
A quick word on moths. Friday night was the coolest for several days, and I caught just eight moths including two November Moth (ags). This is a group of three species which cannot be identified safely without a specimen.
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| November Moth ag |
The full list was:
Light Brown Apple Moth 1, Red-Green Carpet 1, Common Marbled Carpet 1, November Moth ag 2 (nfy), Angle Shades 1, Grey Shoulder-knot 2.
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