25th August 2017

It was a class early autumn morning thanks to a decent suite of uncommon migrants. Best of all was a Spotted Flycatcher which spent a few minutes on the wires by Reads Rest Cottages, closely followed by a Whinchat at Reads Bottom, an elusive Lesser Whitethroat along Slangs and a flurry of eight Yellow Wagtails which flew southwest. From the heavens a Wheatear dropped into a tree by Doric Field and what was presumably the same unsettled bird was spotted as it flew high southwest later on. Two Black-headed Gulls and singles of Swift, Meadow Pipit and Lesser Black-backed Gull also flew over, while on the ground seven Willow Warblers was a decent count. 35 Swallows, eight Whitethroats, six Blackcaps and four Chiffchaffs were also noted. No fewer than 19 Buzzards were logged and, in the 'latterly notable' category, a singing Collared Dove at L&G and three overflying Greenfinches are worth a mention. Two Little Owls were heard calling.

Spotted Flycatcher by Reads Rest Cottages

David Campbell (photo) and Paul Goodman