As the clocks went back, I decided to forgo my theoretical extra hour in bed and arose at the same time as yesterday, i.e. just before dawn. I had to pick Sal up from Heathrow late morning and given yesterdays bird bonanza decided that the early hours might yield some more interesting birds.
The weather had changed a little a strengthting NW wind brought a lot more cloud. The thrushes were still around with the early
Blackbird lek followed by calling
Redwings still abundant and several
Mistle Thrush. As the light slowly came a couple of
Grey Herons flew West and even though the Redwings were still moving through in a westerly direction, the
Woodpigeons were not as abundant with groups spending time in the treetops rather than moving against the stiff breeze. At around 7am, the first real surprise of the morning when a
Goosander flew high and West. A redhead, most likely female rather than eclipse male, but such a surprise and a welcome and unexpected house tick.
Then proof that the birding gods were smiling when 5
Hawfinches flew North straight over me with their distinctive calls. Stocky finches that at a distance as they approached I first thought of thrushes until their wingbars were clear and I could hear them, then I knew exactly what they were. I'd been hoping that this would happen with the recent influx of birds and so many being seen in nearby parts , this was probably going to be the best chance in years to add them to the house list.
It didn't stop there, with 2
Egyptian Geese seen flying West then the distinctive call of a
Woodlark which I eventually picked up in flight heading the same way. Around 7.45 Another 2
Hawfiinches appeared. It looked as if they had alighted from the hedge at the bottom of the sheep field and headed off towards the taller trees to the left of the property, then about 5 minutes later I heard a call behind and saw a
Hawfinch fly over the house and it seemed to land in the top of one of the Oaks next to the house, but I couldn't locate it, just hearing a couple of calls.
Siskin and
Goldfinch still had a healthy flock combined of around 40 birds spending time in the Alders, and other highlights were
2 Bullfinch, 1 Fieldfare a few
Herring Gulls drifted North
after a windy squall which ripped a lot of leaves off the trees. Eventually the birds and the weather calmed a little but another day where I recorded 51 species from home ! with 2 new house ticks. Happy days !
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| The autumn colours are starting to peak |
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| Mid-morning darkness with a heavy squall which deprived the trees of a few leaves |
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| Blue Tit |
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| Dunnock |
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| Bullfinch |
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| Marsh Tit |
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