On the back of the rain storm Friday and after reading of the massive fall around Slimbridge after the rain I was out early Saturday morning in the hope that they may be a few migrants in our area.
The first thing that was evident was the number of Chiffchaff with 13 been seen or heard, but in truth there were bound to have been around. It was good to see 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a couple of Blackcap feeding on elderberries . Also in the hedges were 1 Bullfinch , another Reed Bunting on wires above a beet field, the second of the Autumn.
The first gathering of Starling are apparent with 35 on wires , they should increase over the next few days or so.
It was overhead that stole the show with 2 Meadow Pipits south, also 59 House Martin south west, 96 Swallow south , and 50 plus Lesser Black Backed Gulls in all directions !
Around the fields were 3 Skylark ,3 Stock Dove ,Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Red Legged Partridge and 2 Buzzard .
So Sunday I was out again early , but it turned out to be quieter, but Swallows were still heading south west with 48 passing low with haste, with them were 16 House Martin. A larger count of 17 Meadow Pipits over southwards and the first Linnets went south west with a small flock of 4 been seen .
2 Raven passed over low calling as they went. In the hedges were a Common Whitethroat and just 5 Chiffchaff today , sometimes it what you do not see not just what you do that gives you a sight of migration in action. Starling increased to 42, and in the fields 5 Skylark were present .
Also present were 2 Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, and 2 Stock Dove.
