Following on from my last post, I had a few days off work - the first of my Autumn migration season holidays. Unfortunately a combination of bad weather and lack of motivation meant I didn't capitalise on the opportunity to get out and about. I had a week back at work to get through before another whole week off. Thankfully the weather was a bit better though overall birds were in rather short supply once again.
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| Goldfinch |
On the final day of August I somehow managed to record a total of 23 species with migrating Meadow Pipits, Siskins and a heard-only Grey Wagtail among the highlights. Stock Dove and Long Tailed Tits were the best of the rest. September the 1st continued with the Autumnal feel with more Meadow Pipits on the move and a singing Willow Warbler as I neared work. Black Headed Gull, Collared Dove, Jay and Sparrowhawk were among the better birds that rounded out Tuesday's list though a disappointing total of only 18 species were noted.
I changed my route on Thursday the 3rd which gave me the Cox's Stack Peregrine and also a Buzzard being chased by Carrion Crows at the football pitches. The gulls were back in numbers with Black Headed and Common Gulls as well as a few Herring Gulls wandering around on the grass. More Meadow Pipits and Siskins kept up things on the migration front and a family group of Long Tailed Tits dragged the day's total to 20 species. More Meadow Pipits and Siskins were seen among the 21 species on Friday's list and there were once again plenty of Common and Black Headed Gulls on the football pitches.
With sunrise getting later by the day I suspect things will have a different feel once again when I go back to work and it won't be long until it is dark when I leave home in the morning for work. The Pink Footed Geese should begin to reappear very soon and winter will begin to feel not too far away. By November the number of species I manage to record on my walks to and from work may be down to single figures due to the lack of daylight available and the likelihood of poor weather. On the plus side the lack of leaves on the trees will make it easier to see some species again. The total for this past week was 33 species and the photos illustrating this post are all older shots.
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| Oystercatcher |
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| Peregrine |
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| Buzzard |
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| Black Headed Gull |
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| Woodpigeon |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Herring Gull |
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| House Sparrow |
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| Starling |
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| Robin |
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Stock Dove |
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| Collared Dove |
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| Blue Tit |
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| Magpie |
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| Dunnock |
Species seen/heard - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher, Peregrine, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon.
Mammals seen - Grey Squirrel, Rabbit.
