This morning looked pretty much ideal for recording overhead passage, a very light north-westerly and good visibility.
We started at around 09.00, Dave getting to Morton Bagot just before I did. It was immediately apparent that thrushes were moving and no doubt if we had been an hour earlier we would have recorded many more. As it was, we logged 667 Redwings and 93 Fieldfares. The majority were passing overhead in loose flocks, but quite a few dropped down to see what berries might be available.
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| Redwings |
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| Fieldfares |
Unfortunately there wasn't too much of a supporting cast. Small numbers of Chaffinches, and Siskins with the odd Redpoll. At least a small group of Siskins landed in the top of an ash giving me an opportunity to get a shot of one of them.
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| Siskin |
All this ornithological abundance attracted a few avian predators, and we saw two Sparrowhawks, and a single adult Peregrine which perched on one of the pylons.
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| Peregrine |
We were unfortunately adopted by a local dog which followed us around, chasing any Pheasants that came in range. This rather cramped our style when we reached the flash field and so our count of 20 Teal, and two Wigeon probably underestimates the number of Teal at least.
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| Wigeon |
As the sun came out we made our only insect discovery when Dave spotted a darter dragonfly. At the time I wondered if it could be a very late Ruddy, but I've subsequently concluded it was just a male Common Darter.
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| Common Darter |
Quite a late date for the species, but not unusual given the balmy conditions.
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