Saturday 12 July 2014

Success on the patch

By the time I got onto the patch this morning it was later than I had hoped. It was hot with a few clouds and I was not expecting to see much with the patch in the middle of the summer hiatus.
In the village it was nice to see 3 Spotted Flycatchers proof that they have bred successfully .
Along the hedges were 2 Blackcaps ,along with 4 Whitethroats and 4 Chiffchaffs. There were also a small number of Linnets about as well .
On the pastures were 2 Red Legged Partridge along with 3 Skylark ,also seen were 6 Stock Dove ,a bird of subtle beauty ,take a close look next time they are really superb.
The high light of the walk was watching a male and female Yellow Wagtails feeding a fledged juvenile , the female was seen carrying food elsewhere so perhaps there are other young around as well.
Overhead were 8 plus House Martins and 8 Plus  Swallows  , but no Swifts today, reports from the migration watch points indicate that Swifts and Sand Martins are already beginning to leave our shores and begin their south wards migration.
On the raptor front a female Kestrel and 4 Buzzards were on offer . A couple of Ravens soared and called as they passed towards the Malvern Hills.
On the Woodpecker front a calling Green and 3 Greater Spotted chipped in . The last bird of note was a single Pied Wagtail on a farm barn roof.
I wait for the Autumn migration to start with high hopes .