A superb morning, with a slight chill in the air and mist in the river valley early on. The break in the weather appeared at first to have allowed some birds to move ,but this soon fizzled out after about an hour.
There were 2/3 Greater Spotted Woodpeckers about and 2 Green Woodpeckers made themselves known with their calls. Winter thrushes were thin on the ground and overhead today with only 3 Redwing and two groups of Fieldfare 4 moving high west and 15 over Tirley hill. There were also 2 flyover Song Thrush . About 200 plus Starling were in the area some flying over east to south west at height and others feeding on pasture.
Passage of Skylarks with 28 and Meadow Pipits with also 28 carried on ,but only 4 Pied Wagtails today.
In the pasture fields our visiting Snipe was still feeding in its usual place and a calling Golden Plover came from the north and passed over towards the river meadows . The first small flock of Common Gulls were feeding on sheep fields (5) , with them 8 Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
In the hedges were a Chiffchaff with roving Tit flock and a flock of 6 Bullfinch which was a great sight. Another Reed Bunting was found although I think it may be the same bird as the other day. A Jay confirmed that it is Autumn as it appears that this is the only time we see them here.
The best of the rest were 3 Red Legged Partridge, and 2 Stock Dove.
One final point I urge everyone to read the latest report from Birdlife Malta on the killing of our migrants as they pass over the hell hole that is Malta, the latest reports talk of the shooting down of 12 Eagles as a mixed flock of raptors passed over the islands .Boycott the island ,sign the petition , write to your MEP , we cannot allow this to continue ,it is not sport it is just pure vandalism. Help stop it now.
