Yet again the star bird of the day was the Wryneck which is now present for its 4th day by the horse paddocks, and has shown well on and off throughout the day. Apart from this it was fairly quiet with an overnight clear out, but others that did remain were 8 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 200 Swallows, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 9 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 60 Linnets, 8 Pied Wagtails, 2 Peregrines, 6 Long-tailed Tits and 12 Mistle Thrushes.
Friday 30th August
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| Wryneck |
When venturing onto the patch at 6am, I had a strange feeling that there was going to be a big overnight clear out of birds, in some respect there was but not as much as I thought. Since watching this patch way back in 1991, and through the years realising just how good it is I have always had the dream of finding 2 Wrynecks on the same day, yes over the current time period I have had over 20+ singles but today my dream eventually came true. I started off in the allotments which at first was fairly hard work, but my attention was somewhat strayed away from a Willow Warbler to the distress calls of Blackcaps and Dunnocks, hmm I think there is something lurking nearby in an overgrown allotment, at first I was hoping for a Red-backed Shrike the first for the year but on looking and straight in front of me was another Wryneck the 3rd for the autumn, sitting in a small sycamore no wonder they were unhappy, but it soon dropped to the floor out of sight and was not seen again until later in the day, I then realised that If I could find the other by the horse paddocks my up most dream could become reality. I then left the allotments and went to the area to where the bird has been showing for the last 2 days thinking that it has most likely gone, but I didn't have to wait long when yes its still here showing well feeding on the ground, 2 Wrynecks in one day I have finally done it. Shortly after I went home a very happy man as I was pretty much housebound for the rest of the day well until 4pm that is. Dave also had one of the Wrynecks and another Honey Buzzard which headed east at 11:15am, and is the 4th bird in 3 days, wow what an autumn so far, there was also 9 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 18 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 16 Whitethroats, 1 Tree Pipit, 200+ Swallows, 6 Sand Martins, 2 Peregrines, 1 Hobby, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 40 Linnets, 45 Ring-necked Parakeets, 7 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 90 Starlings and 18 Mistle Thrushes.
Thursday 29th August
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| Wryneck |
It was a long day out for Dave today as I could only get out early morning and later on this evening. As time was very short first thing I went to look for the Wryneck which showed pretty much straight away for its 2nd day at 6:45am, I then went home and came back this evening along with Dave to which the bird showed very well out in the open for a good 45 minutes, giving me another chance of some more photo's, but due to current blog problems I have put one of the picture on Birdguides, Also today was another Honey Buzzard that Dave had over the cemetery at 12:30-35pm, before heading off in a southerly direction, there was also 48 species seen and some included 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Garden Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, 17 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Whinchats, 7 Wheatears, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Little Owl, 200 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, 80 Linnets, 3 Goldfinches, 45 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 15 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Peregrine, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Jackdaw and 9 House Sparrows.
Wednesday 28th August
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| Wryneck/Wheatear |
Wow what a day Dave and I have just had, lots of migrants, good birds and lovely weather what more can you ask for. Once again the patch was watched for just under 14 hours pretty much straight through and was rewarded with the 2nd Wryneck of the autumn which was surprisingly found in the paddocks, a rare treat away from its normal haunts and is the first ever recorded in this area. The bird showed pretty well on and off in the afternoon, but again gave a great show in the evening to which I managed to rattle off a few nice photo's, unfortunately I am still having trouble getting these onto my blog but will post instead on Birdguides. This wasn't the only highlight of the day with the other being 2 Honey Buzzards which passed over the cemetery, one at 7:38-42am, and the other at 14:02-03pm, but in fact this was a very good raptor day with 7 different species being seen including a good autumn arrival of 17 Common Buzzards with most of the birds eventually heading off in a north/westerly direction, the best count was of 6 birds, also 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobbies, 2 Peregrines, 4 Sparrowhawks and 2 Kestrels. Warbler numbers were very good around the site with 37 Whitethroats, 3 Garden Warblers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler and 23 Blackcaps. Once again the chats didn't disappoint with 12 Whinchats and 15 Wheatears taking the honours. Other bits included 2 Yellow Wagtails and an excellent site count of 53 Sand Martins heading north/west, 220 Swallows and 4 House Martins, with local bits being 5 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 80 Ring-necked Parakeets, 86 Linnets, 25 Mistle Thrushes, 13 Pied Wagtails, 83 Black-headed Gulls, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Jays, 2 Jackdaws, 3 Skylarks and 1 Long-tailed Tit.
Tuesday 27th August
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| Wheatear |
The migrants keep on coming, with continuing high pressure and the wind in an easterly/north easterly direction there is certainly a few bits to enjoy. Birding on site was once again to the extreme with another 12 hours of straight thorough coverage, followed with plenty of water, sandwiches and fruit. Today after a long search there was no sign of the Wryneck, and there was certainly a little overnight clear out but with 44 species noted it did produce some more arrivals. Probably the best highlight was 16 Whinchats continuing a good autumn for this bird and another Pied Flycatcher which was in the garden of rest, the paddocks held 13 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a fly over Tree Pipit, there was only 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Lesser Whitethroat but at least 16 Whitethroats and 15 Blackcaps remained on site. Raptors included 6 Common Buzzards mainly heading south/west, 1 male Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel, there was also 6 Sand Martins, 4 House Martins, 102 Swallows, 75 Linnets, 547 Black-headed Gulls, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 21 Mistle Thrushes, 80 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Skylarks, 9 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 80 Starlings and 5 Long-tailed Tits.
Monday 26th August
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| Wryneck (Feeding behind net with cabbages) |
With a current spell of high pressure and a few good birds currently around the east coast Dave and I was hoping that perhaps one of these may shortly reach the cemo, well in fact we didn't have to wait long, we both arrived on site at 6am, and at 6:10am, the goodie was found when a true favourite of mine a Wryneck briefly came out from an elderberry tree in the allotments, we then didn't see the bird again until 7:50am when it was seen feeding on a path before disappearing once again. The evening was a bit different when it showed well on and off feeding on ants in a nearby allotment from 6:15 - 6:55pm before going to roost. I managed a few record shots of this superb bird and will post them as soon as my blog is properly working again. Today was excellent with a total of 47 species and a nice selection of migrants, apart from the Wryneck the other highlight was the total of 24 Whinchats a superb count for the site, yes it has been beaten in the past but this is the best for some time, the area itself was pretty busy and also produced the first Redstart of the autumn, and a new arrival of 6 Golden Plovers. There was a few warblers including 20 Blackcaps, 3 Garden Warblers, 16 Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler and 5 Willow Warblers, also noted was 5 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 42 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Chaffinches, 12 Pied Wagtails, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 25 Linnets, 5 Goldfinches, 80 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Mistle Thrushes and 80 Starlings.
Sunday 25th August
Highlights today was 18 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 13 Blackcaps, 3 Garden Warblers, 10 Willow Warblers, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatears, 7 Whinchats, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 10 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 22 Swallows and 9 Long-tailed Tits.
Saturday 24th August
Eventually when the rain cleared the migrants began to show, the best was 3 Tree Pipits, 20 Whitethroats, 13 Willow Warblers, 16 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 7 Whinchats, 5 Wheatears, 25 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Lapwing, 5 Green Woodpeckers and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Friday 23rd August
A few bits around with 7 Whinchats and 9 Wheatears in the paddocks and a Common Buzzard which spent most of its time over nearby fields. Others included 12 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 7 Willow Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 14 Mistle Thrushes, 16 Swallows, 18 Linnets and 12 Long-tailed Tits.
Thursday 22nd August
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| Whinchat and Whitethroat |
A difficult day in the making with heavy showers on and off for much of the morning/early afternoon, eventually when it did stop there was a few bits to be seen hence in smaller numbers, the rain didn't produce anything of scarce/rare value and there was certainly a clear out of warblers but at least we did see 24 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Willow Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler and 12 Blackcaps. The paddocks produced 4 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears and 3 Yellow Wagtails with the scruffy Common Buzzard lingering nearby and the rather fat female Peregrine which spent most of the time on the pylons. Other bits included a Hobby, 2 Kestrels, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting, 14 Mistle Thrushes, 40 Swallows, 14 Linnets and 25 Ring-necked Parakeets.
Wednesday 21st August
As soon as Dave and I arrived at 6am there was noticeably an overnight arrival of warblers, as straight away some of the bushes were alive with activity even before the sun really came through. The area was again watched in massive detail this time from 6am - 7:30pm, thrashing out pretty much every inch possible. In total there was 48 species including 6 species of warbler which resulted in 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 34 Willow Warblers, 37 Whitethroats and 25 Blackcaps, the paddocks was also interesting holding 11 Whinchats, 6 Wheatears and at long last a far better count of 17 Yellow Wagtails, but in felt that no matter where you walked another migrant was going to pop out. Along with this was 5 species of raptors with the rather fat female Peregrine still present, and the rather scruffy looking Common Buzzard which was hunting nearby fields, an early Hobby headed east at 6:05am, and there was 3 Kestrels and 3 Sparrowhawks. Other bits noted were 420 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Common Gulls, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 282 Herring Gulls, 11 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 36 Swallows, 5 House Martins, 20 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Corn Bunting, 32 Linnets, 25 Ring-necked Parakeets, 17 Greenfinches, 5 Goldfinches and 5 Jays.
Tuesday 20th August
Today was certainly a strange one as it didn't feel half as busy as yesterday, but in fact it turned out to be the opposite and turned up another excellent total of 49 species, within this was 6 different species of warblers including 22 Blackcaps, 16 Whitethroats, 9 Willow Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff, once again Dave and I watched the patch for 12 hours and it was a real pleasure walking around in glorious sunshine, also enjoying this was 2 Whinchats and 6 Wheatears which showed very well in the paddocks, and a Common Buzzard which spent most of the day around nearby fields, raptors once again didn't do to bad with a Peregrine hunting pigeons, 4 Sparrowhawks and 2 Kestrels. Best birds in the cemo was 2 Crossbills, 1 Little Owl and a Tree Pipit which headed west. Other bits noted were 5 Yellow Wagtails, 23 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 11 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 26 Linnets, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 24 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Heron east, 70 Starlings, 70 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Goldfinches, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Chaffinch west.
Monday 19th August
That's more like it a very good days birding and a much deserved reward. There was 12 hours of coverage today between 6am - 6pm, to which Dave covered a little bit more. I met up with Dave at first light and straight away there was a few warblers on show, today produced a total of 43 species and was pretty much busy throughout, but the bird of the day turned up while I was of site Dave contacted me just after 1pm, to say he had just had an Osprey over the cemetery/paddocks from 12:48 - 12:51pm, a very good autumn bird here and one which is always nice to see, there was also 2 Pied Flycatchers the first of the autumn, followed by 11 Wheatears and 1 Whinchat in the paddocks. Warbler numbers were very good with 29 Blackcaps, 26 Whitethroats and 11 Willow Warblers, the first of 2 Tree Pipits headed west over the paddocks early morning, and a Common Buzzard was again seen hunting over nearby fields. Other raptors included a Hobby chasing Swallows, 2 Peregrines including a rather fat female and 2 Kestrels. Other bits on show was 1 Little Owl, 34 Swallows, 15 House Martins, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Corn Buntings, 5 Skylarks, 19 Mistle Thrushes, 377 Black-headed Gulls mainly heading west, 1 Common Gull, 35 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 85 Ring-necked Parakeets, 20 Linnets, 90 Starlings and 17 Greenfinches. Of note there was also 3 Clouded Yellow Butterflies.
Sunday 18th August
Pretty much the same as yesterday with the addition of a Common Buzzard and slightly higher numbers of warblers including 18 Whitethroats, 12 Willow Warblers and 10 Blackcaps, there was also 3 Wheatears, 1 Peregrine, 4 Sparrowhawks, 16 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 3 Swifts, 8 Green Woodpeckers and 8 Mistle Thrushes.
Saturday 17th August
Not to much to report with just 4 Wheatears, 4 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 12 Whitethroats, 2 Peregrines, 26 Swallows, 3 Swifts, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 14 Mistle Thrushes.
Friday 16th August
New arrivals today included a Reed Warbler in the allotments, with a few other warblers nearby notably 17 Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers and 10 Blackcaps, there was also 2 Wheatears in the paddocks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Owl, 22 Swallows, 4 Swifts, 3 House Martins, 1 Corn Bunting, 19 Mistle Thrushes, 28 Linnets, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 70 Ring-necked Parakeets.
Thursday 15th August
Still unable to put any photos on yet due to some technical problems with the website which is a shame considering how close one of today's Wheatear's got, but I am still working on it. Another 8 hours of coverage from Dave and I was better rewarded with a Common Buzzard which spent all day lingering between the cemo and rubbish dump, and a Marsh Harrier that went straight through at 11am, the Little Owl put in a better performance and 2 Wheatears showed well in the paddocks. A trip to the allotments produced most of the 13 Willow Warblers, 12 Whitethroats and 8 Blackcaps, with a Curlew and Yellow Wagtail in a nearby stubble field. Other bits were 3 Sparrowhawks, 23 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Grey Partridges, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 28 Blue Tits, 33 Linnets, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 55 Black-headed Gulls mainly heading west, 2 Skylarks, 12 Ring-necked Parakeets, 30 Swallows and 12 Swifts.
Wednesday 14th August
A very quiet day but at least it did produce 9 Willow Warblers the best count so far this early autumn, there was also 12 Blackcaps, 9 Whitethroats, 36 Swifts, 16 Swallows, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 14 Mistle Thrushes, 40 Linnets and 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Tuesday 13th August
Best bird of the day was 3 Little Egrets which headed north/west over the allotments at 6:40am, but apart from that numbers of early autumn migrants still remain pretty low. Warblers noted were 1 Willow Warbler, 17 Whitethroats and 7 Blackcaps, a Wheatear was in the stubble field by the paddocks which held all of the 8 Mistle Thrushes. Other bits included 14 Swifts, 16 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 11 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Peregrine with a kill, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawks, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 32 Linnets.
Monday 12th August
Like many other local sites its a little hard going out there at the present time but continue on you certainly do, but at least today did bring 3 more Lesser Whitethroats also 5 Blackcaps, 7 Whitethroats, 3 Crossbills north, 1 Hobby, 1 Lapwing, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 18 Swallows, 6 Swifts, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 75 Carrion Crows in nearby fields, 22 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches and another excellent total of 39 Mistle Thrushes.
Sunday 11th August
Today's sightings were 2 Sand Martins, 11 Whitethroats, 1 Hobby, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 64 Swallows, 22 Linnets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 17 Mistle Thrushes, 12 Jays and 13 Blue Tits.
Saturday 10th August
Not a complete disaster in the 8 hours of coverage with a Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, 12 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Crossbill, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 23 Swifts, 32 Swallows, 10 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 10 Jays, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Gulls, 1 Chaffinch and 18 Linnets.
Friday 9th August
Dave and I were out on the patch at 6am and finally left at 4pm, weather wise it was pretty good with sunny spells and the odd heavy shower, bird wise it wasn't bad either especially when a Tree Pipit was located and which stayed around for a good few minutes. Warblers today included 8 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Willow Warblers, the Little Owl was heard calling and a juvenile Cuckoo headed south/east over the paddocks early morning continuing a good start of early autumn for this species. Other bits around were 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Hobby chasing Swifts, 2 Common Buzzards including a very pale individual, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lapwing, 86 Swifts, 45 Swallows, 7 House Martins, 21 Mistle Thrushes, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 11 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jays, 40 Linnets, 20 Magpies, 7 Stock Doves and 60 Ring-necked Parakeets. There was also a red colour ringed Herring Gull in the paddocks another Essex bird I suspect.
Thursday 8th August
A visit to the paddocks produced the first returning Wheatear and a Whimbrel which headed west. Warblers included 19 Whitethroats, 10 Blackcaps and 1 Willow Warbler, the Little Owl put in a brief appearance and 3 Cormorants headed east late on. Other bits were 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 11 Mistle Thrushes, 32 Linnets, 6 Jays, 6 Corn Buntings and 38 Crows in nearby fields.
Wednesday 7th August
Not a great deal today with just 5 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Little Owl, 30 Swallows, 109 Linnets, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels and 11 Mistle Thrushes.
Tuesday 6th August
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| Kestrel |
The first returning Whinchat was in the paddocks, also the first Sedge Warbler of the year in the allotments. Overall it was a good day with 7 Crossbills north at 7:10am, 2 Common Buzzards over, 1 Immature female Marsh Harrier north/west at 12:50pm and 3 Kestrels. Another good record count for the site was 7 Cormorants which headed north/east. Others were 1 Grey Partridge, 40 Swallows, 8 Swifts, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Corn Buntings, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 14 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers and 30 Linnets. Unfortunately at present there is a lack of photos due to some technical issues on my blog hopefully this will be back to normal soon.
Monday 5th August
No doubt the bird of the day was a BLACK KITE which Dave found heading slowly south/west over the cemetery from 9:30 - 9:45am, unfortunately I missed it due to other commitments but well deserved after all his recent hard work, together we have recorded a few of these great raptors here and there is certainly plenty of time for another. Dave also recorded 1 Cuckoo, 1 Crossbill, 3 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 58 Swallows, just 1 House Martin, 166 Swifts, 11 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Jays, 4 Pied Wagtails, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Whitethroats, 40 Linnets, 1 Corn Bunting and 11 Greenfinches.
Sunday 4th August
Today produced a few bits and included the first returning Garden Warbler in the allotments to which also held a few others with 5 Blackcaps , 1 Willow Warbler and 19 Whitethroats also seen. There was another 4 Crossbills touring the cemetery and 244 Swifts were feeding overhead. Other bits on show included 2 Kestrels, 1 Peregrine, 36 Swallows, 10 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jackdaw, 16 Linnets, 3 Corn Buntings, and 8 House Sparrows (the first for sometime).
Saturday 3rd August
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| Clouded Yellow |
Very Little to report at best was 2 Crossbillls in the cemo, 2 Grey Herons west, 43 Swallows, 50 Swifts, 10 Green Woodpeckers, 24 Linnets, 10 Whitethroats, 12 Blackcaps and 70 Ring-necked Parakeets.
Friday 2nd August
Probably the rarest bird today was a Turtle Dove heading east over the paddocks. A total of 14 Crossbills were flying around the cemetery during the morning, as was 2 Grey Herons which eventually headed north/east at 6:02am. Other bits included 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 81 Black-headed Gulls, 62 Swallows, 98 Swifts, 15 House Martins, 12 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a good total of 14 Jays, 14 Blue Tits, 23 Mistle Thrushes, 12 Whitethroats, 15 Blackcaps, 60 Linnets , 70 Ring-necked Parakeets and 4 Corn Buntings.
Thursday 1st August
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| Got It |
The first returning Lesser Whitethroat was a good start to the month in the allotments, but the rest of the day was getting the numbers of the more common bits, but at least a migrant Common Buzzard headed north/west mid-morning. Other sightings were 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel, 6 Stock Doves, 1 Common Gull, 32 Swallows, 2 Swifts, 12 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Corn Buntings, 6 Jays, 11 Mistle Thrushes, 18 Blackbirds, 15 Whitethroats, 24 Blackcaps, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 24 Linnets, 7 Goldfinches and 1 Chaffinch.
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