randombirder

Making the most of an extended Easter break, I chose to spend time around a few sites local to home (including the patch), the furthest of which was Fowlmere RSPB, a convenient 20 minute drive into Cambridgeshire. There is something uniquely satisfying about discovering wildlife within the local area. After such a wet and at times bleak winter, a couple of days of warm sunshine was most welcome and hopefully a precursor to an agreeable spring and summer. Having returned from Albania the day before, it was surprising to see temperatures lift to 26C on Wednesday 8th. And when the weather improves, nature responds. So instead of travelling further afield, the day (8th) started with a walk around the patch, that produced a surprise sedge warbler singing from the depths of a scrubby area at Weston Hills NR. A willow warbler attempted song along the hedgerow opposite Bush Wood, a late fieldfare flew north, a raven flew low west, and three each of corn bunting and grey partridge were pre...

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 ...

The local area continues to provide stunning countryside views.  The weather has been a little indifferent with spells of rain and unseasonably strong winds, but has revealed some impressive skies enhanced all the more when viewed from the ridge. Quail have been present in the area over the past week ten days with at least two birds heard calling (and at times seen).  I managed to catch up with a calling male on the 1st between Clothall Common and Wallington Road.   Trips to Broom over the last few days revealed the start of return wader migration.  Two summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit on the 28th were my first for the reserve.  A juvenile Ringed Plover on the 1st was another patch first.  Two Little Ringed Plover and three Oystercatcher (2nd) have been present throughout my visits there. Two sightings of Little Egret (28th & 3rd), and five Gadwall (3rd) were the best of the rest. It will be interesting to see wh...

The countryside is now alive in wildflowers as the landscape glows in the warm sunlight.  It's such a pleasure to see. Flowers so colourful and bright, In their glory in the sun's light, At home amid the summer's heat, Giving out a perfume so sweet, The summer flowers seem perfect, In near enough every aspect, So effortlessly they distract, As one's attention they attract, Countless different kinds carve their mark, Throughout every meadow and park, There for us to enjoy and pick, While we waste our days and frolic, As gifts more poetic than speech, When lovers and their loves meet, One of nature's finer artworks, Saving scenes from seeming bleak. --- Christian Lacdael

The weather changed.  We lost the warm cloudless sunny days and made way for April showers.  It didn't stop me from heading out in the belting rain.  And as faithful as the fluctuations of the British climate, eight  Northern Wheatear remained on the airfield with two of the males showing characteristics of the 'Greenland' race. With two Yellow Wagtail and a Lesser Whitethroat , it didn't feel any different birdwise. The deluge of the day before had passed but the 29th dawned grey with a slight change in temperature. Eight Wheatear remained on the airfield, two Yellow Wagtail and two Lesser Whitethroat  really helped maintain the feeling that everyday was the same.  These have now become daily sightings. A  Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across farmland toward the woodland, and a single House Martin hurtled through on the walk back. April made way for May.  A forced trip to Croxley on the 1st meant that a quick walk round th...

The sunny days continued for another full week.  It has felt like deja vu all over again .  I have no idea what day it is and frankly, it is of little importance right now.  I haven't spoken to anyone in a long time - I mean apart from those 'how are you? I'm doing ok ' type conversations you have with kith and kin, and the odd passer-by.  Yes - exchanging morning pleasantries with fellow lockdowners is a thing. The morning walks have been great though - I'll stop mentioning how lovely the countryside is round here. It's been slow going to be fair, with little variety but a fair bit of interest around the local area. Sightings of northern wheatear have been a daily occurrence in their usual spots with six being the mean daily counts split between the airfield and The Homestead paddocks.  There have been some lovely males present. The farmland backdrop contains a bounty of  Skylark , Corn Bunting  and Yellowhammer dominat...