Local ramblings - Autumn '24

It's a small patch but one that I enjoy walking. While balancing expectations, the odd common migrant here and there always brightens up a working day. No cars, just walks or a cycle. Here are the 'highlights' of the autumn so far.

Whinchat have been regular across the fields this autumn with 12 birds recorded. The first autumn record was this 1st year bird along the fenceline between Weston Hills and Bush Wood on the 29th August.

This bird was one of seven seen on the 6th September, five along the Wallington Road where this picture was taken, and two at Bygrave Farm. Two yellow wagtail were also present at the latter site. A female merlin was also present in fields viewed from the tarmac path between Clothall Common and Wallington Road.

Northern wheatear pass through in decent numbers during spring but are less frequent in autumn. This individual was utilising the bales on the 18th August.

This 1st year male common redstart on the 5th September at Weston Hills NR was a chance find having decided at last the minute to have a quick walk up the slope on a dull, still, but curiously warm evening.

I'd not seen a spotted flycatcher all year, a morning visit to Weston Hills NR yielded very little. Having given up, a passerine caught my attention as I was walking back down the slope. My surprise was rewarded with this 1st winter bird that darted in and within a minute was gone. A late one too seen on the 29th September.

Raven have been seen regularly with up to four birds suggesting that breeding was likely within the area. This bird was one of two flying over fields near to Bush Wood.

Hobby are a real star of the site. A probable breeding site was identified in spring but no evidence of any young have been observed. Three sightings of hobby in the first five days of September was really encouraging.

Had to put this in as sadly this ring-necked parakeet was the first I'd seen here and my 100th species for the patch on the 16th September.