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.
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Spotted Flycatcher by Reads Rest Cottages |
David Campbell (photo) and Paul Goodman