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| Juvenile Buzzard today |
Autumn is fast approaching. Gathering hirundines, trimmed hay and a distinct quietness thorughout the patch today highlighted this. The incessant
chiff-chaffs have turned in
huet's, seemingly today from every hedge or tree, as Warbler numbers build up as birds pass through or prepare to leave. Aside from the double-digit counts of
Chiffchaffs, I however could only find 2 other species, with a handful of
Blackcaps and at least 2 citrus coloured
Willow Warblers around. It would be nice to find something a bit rarer in these coming weeks.
Yesterday an early male
Wheatear was in the horse fields at Slade's Farm, just a day after one was at the other end of the county in Capel, with a family of
Spotted Flycatcher's also nearby. Today was distinctly quiet, with the aforementioned Warblers accompanied by 4
Red-legged Partridges and a solo
Hobby over the Ridge, presumably one of the pair. Juvenile raptors were very much in evidence, with at least 2 young
Red Kites and many more
Buzzards about, the latter species particularly vocal at this time of year.
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| Spotted Flycatcher near Selhurst Common on the 30th |
A young
Raven was also making itself heard, one of around 3 seen today. Junction Field was being cut down for hay, and a big flock of around 20
Stock Doves were feeding on it this afternoon. I scanned unsuccessfully for a Turtle Dove - it seems my time is running out for pinning one of those elusive birds down this summer. The last few weeks have largely been in keeping with today; quiet. A possibly Honey-buzzard flew very high SE over Allden's Hill on the 4th - it had a notably long tail, thin wings and was stripped underneath. Even pale wing patches were seemingly notable but the bird was too high, and with so many young Buzzards around at the moment it was impossible to get remotely close to confirmation.
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| Common Tern over the Ridge on the 29th |
On the 29th 2
Common Terns flew W over the Ridge, separately, and both taking fish, presumably to young at Enton Lakes or Marsh Farm. Only my third record here, and all have come this year. Plenty of Spotted Flycatchers have been around this summer and I believe at least 3 pairs have bred. One have even taken up residence in the ivy-clad wall of a house near Selhurst Common, and I watched them taking insects to their young for several minutes on the 30th.
With autumn coming more migrants will be passing through, and it's now when I hope to catch something slightly rarer. Last autumn Whinchat, Redstart, Hen Harrier and Little Bunting were all added to the year list, and I am still due a Ring Ouzel in 2016.
