The end of autumn?

Since the excitement of reaching a new patch year list record, things have quietened down. Indeed, the highlight of the past week – a male Black Redstart joining the female at Bonhurst Farm for a day last Wednesday – was missed by myself. In fact, with vis-mig really slowing down and days ever shortening, there’s a feeling autumn is reaching an end.

Black Redstart, Tilsey Farm, 31 October 2019.

Despite promising conditions on Thursday (full and low cloud cover with a gentle easterly), a skywatch from Tilsey Farm was quiet. 137 Fieldfare west was an autumn high (I do poorly for big counts here), while a Hawfinch flew over the entrance track.

The previous day, Kit – one of many who came to see the lingering female Black Redstart – found a male. This was the first time a male had been recorded here so I was a bit gutted it had gone by the following day, despite Gillian S reporting that the pair had been interacting quite a lot when she visited on Wednesday afternoon.

Kestrel, Tilsey Farm, 31 October 2019.

Black Redstart, Tilsey Farm, 30 October 2019 (photo courtesy Gillian Stokes).

Still, you can’t sniff at a female Black Red and, post-disappointing vis-mig, I soon tracked her down along the fence line of the main horse field. A Marsh Tit in the copse towards Daneshill was a good record for the immediate farm area.

I had visions of the pair lingering for a while, but that was the last I or anyone saw of her. By Saturday, in terribly wet and windy conditions, there was no sign during a brief look. Indeed, a day of sport meant there was little time for patch (which worked out OK, given the storm that blew through), though a Firecrest at Winkworth was decent. Flying visits to Unstead SF and the Loseley farmland produced nothing of note.

Meadow Pipit, Tilsey Farm, 31 October 2019.

Sunday was far nicer, with blue skies and no wind. After I checked an empty Tuesley Farm for any storm-blown skuas, a Kingfisher at Winkworth got things off to a good start, before a pleasant stroll through the south section. Clear highlight was a Woodlark that flew east-north-east over Tilsey Farm, uttering its tuneful flight call as it went.

While this species bred in the east section this year this was a first record for the south, and this bird probably came from The Hurtwood, or perhaps even further afield. I’ve only had one vis-mig Woodlark before, so the sighting was most welcome.

Woodlark, Tilsey Farm, 3 November 2019.

Three Hawfinches dropped into Nore Hanger later on, further proof that a few of these hefty finches are lurking in the wider area at present. Otherwise, in keeping with the rest of the week, it was fairly uneventful.

Later in the day I walked the Shackleford farmland but saw little, missing out on the noteworthy Stonechat, Teal and Ring-necked Parakeet Peter O had there earlier. A quick look at Cutt Mill afterwards produced no early Goosander.

Vis-mig was so good in Surrey during October, with some excellent counts and watches, and one does wonder if there’s much left to pass through. November normally delivers a decent session or two, though, so here’s hoping there’s some late movement. One thing that certainly seems to have not arrived yet is wildfowl – maybe a surprise or two from that department will be in store in the coming weeks.