Saturday 24 August 2013

Autumn is here!

Grey Plover flew south over the village this morning in the mist, the sign of birds on the move.

A trip to Heslington East this afternoon produced Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel (heading NW), 5 Common Sandpiper, 3 Oystercatcher and 4 Lapwing. There was at least 14 Little Grebe present, 4 of these were fresh hatchlings - a great sight! Still a few young Moorhen chicks about too. Interestingly there was a flock of 32 Teal (site record count?) and 2 Shoveler. There may have been a Garganey, but as I've said before I don't do brown ducks.

Three Wheatear were the first returning birds of the autumn in the local area (to my knowledge). There was quite a few Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin flying about, a lot less Wagtails and Linnet, however I think they were probably just somewhere else on the site.

Late news was that there was an Osprey at Castle Howard yesterday afternoon for an hour or so. I was heading past there this afternoon in the hope of Black Tern or something, but there was none, and the visibility was rubbish in the pouring rain.

It appears as though the Great White Egret has departed Wheldrake Ings now, one was seen flying south through Southfield Reservoir yesterday, likely the same bird...

Looking forward to seeing if tomorrow brings something new like Sanderling, Stint sp., Curlew Sandpiper, Black Tern... or better please... Wryneck or Booted Warbler in the local area would go down a treat!

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