It was a stunning day for our Autumn Migration Tour and 14 of us enjoyed a good variety of refuelling migrants. However, the best bird of the day, a Spotted Flycatcher, unfortunately only showed in the early morning around Canons Farmyard. Most notable during the Tour itself were three Sand Martins feeding among the Swallows over Broadfield, the latter species notching up a total of 130 in the end. The Garden Warbler was still present, seen in the holly bush at the hedge 'junction' of Bog, Can Hatch and Tart's fields. The adult male Peregrine was again seen as it had a brief go at pigeons over Broadfield and a Hobby was seen over the BW sector. A lone Wheatear was in the hedge between Broadfield and Horse Pasture then on the barns in Canons Farmyard. It was nice to see a September Swift as it passed high over Broadfield and four Meadow Pipits flew through the farm. Singles of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gull also flew over. A Willow Warbler was seen along Reads Rest Lane between Canons Farmhouse and Reads Rest Cottages and farm warbler tallies include four Whitethroats, two Blackcaps and eight Chiffchaffs. Another three Whitethroats were in Holly Lane Meadow, plus two more Blackcaps in the BW sector. The day-hooting Tawny Owl proclaimed itself again in Lunch Wood, while two Little Owls and a Rook were at CF. Six Kestrels were counted across the entire recording area.
A Brown Hairstreak was seen in the hedgerow between Bog Field and Owl Meadow, and another was noted in Holly Lane Meadow. Two Red Admirals and a Comma were in the CF sector, plus two Speckled Woods. Further BW butterflies included a Small Copper in Hither Field and a late Chalkhill Blue. A Migrant Hawker, four Southern Hawkers and two Common Darters were also noted in BW.
Geoff Barter, David Campbell, Paul Goodman, Duncan Jennings, Ian Jones, Ian Magness, Linda Mount, Natasha Preston, Mark Stanley, Ian Ward et al
