New Visible Migration blogsite launched

Autumn began early in 2016 with the first returning COMMON REDSTARTS back before the end of July. Two moulting adults remained on the Ringshall slope for at least two weeks to early August with a moulting male in Inkombe Hole this past weekend (Dave Bilcock). This morning, an additional two juveniles arrived, favouring the fenceline between the main car park and the S bend clump (see photographs above). There have also been up to 5 lingering WHINCHATS during this past week, with two worn adults lingering in the sheep pen area and an adult and two juveniles in the barley below the car park. All five are difficult though and disappear for long periods. Other migrants have included Lesser Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher, the latter in bushes on Gallows Hill, while up to 40 European Barn Swallows have been sheltering in the lee of Gallows as a strong Northwesterly wind blows. The cornfield holds up to 6 Corn Buntings and the odd Yellowhammer, while a few juvenile Linnets are still being fed and a flock of 68 Common Starling is about. Good numbers of Chalkhill Blue butterflies are still on the wing, as well as vast numbers of Meadow Browns and Ringlets.

3 of the 5 WHINCHATS......