First REDWINGS of the autumn

MONDAY 3 OCTOBER

 

With a forecast of light southerly winds and clear skies, I didn't have high expectations for IVINGHOE BEACON & environs this morning. I did the usual circuit while Mike Wallen & Rob Hill did the VizMig from the small hillock just beyond the S bend. The car park slope held a single Common Chiffchaff, Dunnock and 3 Common Blackbirds while at least 9 Robin were on territory, marking out their areas by singing. A very small number of Meadow Pipit were moving, as well as just 2 Linnet, with the 3 COMMON STONECHAT on the fenceline by the sheep pens. Two Jays were seen.

 

STEPS HILL saw the addition of 4 more COMMON STONECHATS (in scrub at the top of Inkombe Hole), while 3 European Barn Swallow, 2 Bullfinch and a Song Thrush were noted in TOP SCRUB. In fact, I caught up with Rob Hill here and was flabbergasted by what he and Mike had seen while I had been searching for a migrant Yellow-browed Warbler. They had seen well over 400 REDWING go over, including a single flock of 160, plus Brambling and Lesser Redpoll. MW had also seen a MERLIN. Anyhow, we stood chatting for a while and eventually a single REDWING dropped in - my first of the autumn! (photographed below). At this point we were joined by Francis Buckle.

 

Francis & I then decided to check PITSTONE HILL, in the hope that the Redwings had dropped down there. They hadn't unfortunately and the only migrants we managed were a single EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER and two first-winter NORTHERN WHEATEARS. A few Meadow Pipits were about, 6 Yellowhammer, a flock of 48 Linnet, 16 Skylark, Green Woodpecker, Common Buzzard (below) and 2 BLACKCAPS. Still quite a few butterflies on the wing, including Red Admirals, Comma, Small Heath & Speckled Woods.

 

Very quiet at WILSTONE RESERVOIR with nothing new in. Highlight was the 3 continuing GARGANEY, with 178 Eurasian Wigeon, 29 Gadwall, 334 Teal, 96 Shoveler, 23 Mute Swans, 13 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Little Egret, 182 Lapwing, 398 Black-headed Gull and 3 Grey Wagtail