Thursday October 16 - Earlswood Lakes

Although the weather remains exactly the same as its been for about a week, grey with barely any breeze, I was still optimistic that a visit to Earlswood Lakes could be productive. As it turned out, it was certainly eventful.

To begin with, I was pleased to see that the Stonechat was still present at Springbrook Lane.

Stonechat

 As I made my way through the Scrublands towards the bottom end of Windmill Pool, it quickly became clear that the autumn migration was in full swing. I counted 113 Redwings, and started logging Skylarks as they headed south overhead, eventually getting a count of 25. Small numbers of Redpolls, Siskins, and Chaffinches also headed over at regular intervals. 

Once I got to Windmill Pool, after surveying the mud and counting some Teal, I noticed a large, long-winged bird of prey heading north-east far in the distance. I Whatsapp'd a message that an unidentified raptor was going over. With hindsight I wished I'd left it at that, but I couldn't resist trying to photograph it. Peering at the image in the back of the camera I concluded it could be an Osprey carrying a fish. Fortunately, John Oates was a lot closer to the bird and saw that it was actually a Red Kite dangling a leg for some reason. Egg on face, probably not for the last time.

Red Kite

Once I reached the dam my luck, and bird identification skills improved. A Rock Pipit called, and after a little scanning around I saw it as it pitched down onto the dam. I started to walk along the road, and managed a record shot when it landed again. Unfortunately a crowd of people overtook me, and flushed what turned out to be two Rock Pipits. Another dodgy photograph showed them both, before the hordes flushed them off to the north.

Rock Pipit

Two Rock Pipits (they're both there honest!)

I met up with John, who had found a Redshank on the mud at Engine Pool. He later added a first-winter Common Gull to the tally. What was presumably the same bird later flew south at the bottom of Windmill.

Redshank

Redshanks are traditionally an early spring bird in the Midlands, so this one was particularly noteworthy. Also present were six Shovelers, 20 Teal, and a Kingfisher.

Inevitably I ran out of time and had to make my way home. However, today felt like the start of autumn proper, and it will be interesting to see how the next fortnight pans out.