Movement of outgoing migrants continues

Thursday 30th August 2018

No more sightings of Whinchats this week but numbers of Redstarts and Spotted Flycatchers moving through have been impressive with daily sightings, and maximums of 4 Spot. Flies at the Anchor bushes, Hartshill and 3 Redstarts at Alvecote. In contrast, sightings of warbler species have been few and far between so far.

Redstart, Mancetter

Spotted Flycatcher, Alvecote

Redstart, juv. Alvecote

Spotted Flycatcher, Hartshill

Migrant watch

Monday 20th August 2018

Checking local sites regularly has produced a number of outgoing migrants. Nothing particularly rare or unusual but always good to see on local 'patches'. Over the past few days Whinchats ( 2) continue to  be seen on the 'docklands' at Caldecote. Redstarts have been at Alvecote (1) and Mancetter (2). Today I saw my first Warwickshire Spotted Flycatcher of the year near the Anchor pub, Hartshill. In fact 4 birds were at this site with Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Garden warbler for good measure. Several Ravens were also seen (and heard) in the area.

Spotted Flycatcher, Nr. Hartshill

Spotted Flycatcher

Whinchats at Caldecote

Wednesday 15th August 2018

Another local site which regularly turns up migrants is along the river Anker at Caldecote. Whinchat and later Wheatear use to the dead Dock stems as look-out posts along the river. Today there were a pair of Whinchat along with good numbers of House Martin.

Whinchat, Caldecote

Starting to start

13th August 2018

The first signs of return migration : Swifts disappearing, Wood Sandpipers and other waders appearing at local lakes and the first few Redstarts and Whinchats turning up at traditional local hotspots. Regular visits to these sites usually pays dividends through the coming months. One such 'spot' I've been visiting for a few years, the Mancetter hills near Atherstone has a good record as a migrant stop-over. Yesterday  migrants heading south included 3 Redstarts and a Whinchat. Today there were still 2 Redstarts on 'the hill' but no sign of the Whinchat.

Redstart, Mancetter

Redstart

Whinchat

Menorca, August 2018

My wife, Jan's birthday was the excuse for a family holiday in Menorca, Spain. Our holiday coincided with a heatwave throughout Iberia. With temperatures of 36 + even the 1/2 mile walk to the beach was an effort. The 30 yard walk to the pool was more realistic and with the opportunity of playing with my Grandchildren that was the preferred option most of the time, it was also great fun, for a short time anyway. So little opportunity for serious Birding but various birds were seen. A pair of Egyptian Vultures, a Booted Eagle, Red Kite were seen over the rocky outcrops  overlooking the hotel and several Audouins Gulls were seen patrolling the beach. It was also good to see Turtle doves and Spotted Flycatchers in good numbers, two birds now rarely seen in North Warwickshire.

Audouin's Gulls

Audouin's Gull

Mediterranean Spotted Flycatcher

Turtle Dove

Still very quiet

Saturday 14th July 2018

Lethergy rules. I'm not coping with the continuing high temperatures very well to be honest. Horse flies, stinging nettles etc. have put me off some of my regular walks. A Great spotted Woodpecker was a welcome visitor to the garden and Swift numbers (max. 12) have increased in recent days. A notable lack of small birds though, probably due to Magpies, Jackdaws and Grey Squirrels.
           But then, through the gloom, Brandon Marsh, as it has many times in the past, comes up with some welcome relief in the form of a Pectoral Sandpiper. A welcome Trans-Atlantic visitor.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Brandon Marsh

Night of the Owls

Saturday 30th June 2018

Extraordinary events this evening. Ok the World Cup produced a couple of good games but it was after that as the orange glow faded from the sky, that the real excitement started. I'm very fortunate in being surrounded by bungalows allowing  uninterrupted views to the north from my bedroom.
    Last night I was lucky enough to watch  a couple of Bats briefly fly around a large Ash tree in a neigbouring garden, first bats I'd seen this year. As I waited for them to reappear a Tawny Owl flew low across the garden, a garden first. OK, as if that wasnt enough excitement it seemed to flush a Little Owl from another large Ash in an adjacent garden. I wasn't dreaming and I hadn't been drinking well, only a couple anyway. You don't see an Owl of any description for a year and then 2 turn up in your garden.