A little flurry of migrants in today, the pick of which was a Black Redstart perched on the guttering of our house as I arrived home this afternoon. Other arrivals included at least two Blackcaps munching the apples in our garden, a Chiffchaff in the sycamores, and a scatter of Redwings, Blackbirds and Robins.
Meanwhile, the Cotehill Loch Whooper Swan flock peaked at an impressive 130 birds on Tuesday, including a pair with six cygnets - well done the parents!
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Migrants large and small
I'm aware it's been yonks since I posted anything on here. Far too much adventuring and not enough time on my beloved patch. Still, I intend to put things right during what remains of the autumn.
Today saw a nice 'fall' of Whooper Swans on Cotehill Loch. They seemed to come and go throughout the day, but numbered 54 when I counted them at lunchtime. A magic sound as they burbled away to themselves on the loch.
At the other end of the size spectrum are the continuing trickle of passerine migrants. This Blackcap has spent two days in our garden scoffing apples, while today also saw ones and twos of Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Redwing and Song Thrush in the area. The wind remains in the east, and hopes remain high of some more interest before the week's out.
Today saw a nice 'fall' of Whooper Swans on Cotehill Loch. They seemed to come and go throughout the day, but numbered 54 when I counted them at lunchtime. A magic sound as they burbled away to themselves on the loch.
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| Whoop-whoop-whoop... |
At the other end of the size spectrum are the continuing trickle of passerine migrants. This Blackcap has spent two days in our garden scoffing apples, while today also saw ones and twos of Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Redwing and Song Thrush in the area. The wind remains in the east, and hopes remain high of some more interest before the week's out.
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| Just look at yourself, you've got that all over your face, y'know. |
Thursday, 9 October 2014
The Fall
Great conditions following the SE gales and torrential rain brought some good rarities into the region especially yesterday.
Collieston seemed to miss out on this occasion, though a Red-breasted Flycatcher on the back road found on the 7th was still there yesterday (AK). In terms of commoner species numbers of migrants were very good, with notable numbers of Song Thrush, Robin, Meadow Pipit, Siskin and Goldcrest roving around the village. Blackcaps also were present in good numbers.
On the reserve this evening there was a possible Siberian type Chiff-Chaff in the Rockend track bushes, though it wasn't heard to call.
Further north there was a Bluethroat in the Whinnyfold roadside bushes yesterday (Cotehill birder), with him also scoring a Little Bunting at the Bullars of Buchan.
Collieston seemed to miss out on this occasion, though a Red-breasted Flycatcher on the back road found on the 7th was still there yesterday (AK). In terms of commoner species numbers of migrants were very good, with notable numbers of Song Thrush, Robin, Meadow Pipit, Siskin and Goldcrest roving around the village. Blackcaps also were present in good numbers.
On the reserve this evening there was a possible Siberian type Chiff-Chaff in the Rockend track bushes, though it wasn't heard to call.
Further north there was a Bluethroat in the Whinnyfold roadside bushes yesterday (Cotehill birder), with him also scoring a Little Bunting at the Bullars of Buchan.
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