Sightings October 2009
Saturday 31st October
A Woodcock was flushed from the bottom of a hedgerow near Barton Flash this afternoon. Also today were good numbers of Redwing in the area feeding on berries in various hedgerows. The first returning Wigeon were seen on the river near Barton Island. A single Peregrine was seen brifly over Branshill Wood also the Red-tail and 3 Common Buzzard in the area.
Monday 26th October
4 Calling Water Rail from the reed-bed on Holme Pit late evening also 24 Tufted Duck, 7 Reed Bunting flew into roost in the reed-beds and 5 Redwing over. 1 Barn Owl hunting over fields at the back of Holme Pit and 4 calling Tawny Owl in Clifton Wood.
Sunday 25th October
A notable passage of Skylark through the area this morning with over 200 birds through to the west between 8.30-9.30am. A single female Stonechat on willows near Barton Flash. c200 Northern Lapwing and c 500 Starling in field opposite Barton-in-Fabis at the side of the A453.
Saturday 24th October
Very slow today with little visable migration in the area. 1 Barn Owl early morning, 12 Teal on Branshill Ponds and 82 Northern Lapwing on the Drift
Thursday 22nd October
2 calling Tawny Owl's on the flower park southchurch drive Clifton this evening.
Monday 19th October
Sightings for Clifton Pastures this morning from James Christmas: Peregrine sat on pylon,2 female Stonechat along the footpath,1 kestrel,1 Common Buzzard,100+linnet flock,17 Skylark in various locations,3 Golden Plover headed over the brook,on my way back spotted a further 6 Golden Plover heading toward barton.13 Goldfinch & 8 Corn Bunting feeding on field nearest farmhouse.also 30+Redwing over to west,9 Red legged Partridge & 2 male Pheasant.
Sunday 18th October
6 Stonechat in the area this morning with 2 pairs in the set-aside facing the Rough Wood and another pair on fence post near the flood-bank at Barton-in-Fabis. A large Passage of winter thrushes through to the east this morning between 7.00am-8.00am with c100 Fieldfare and c650 Redwing. A single Barn Owl was also seen hunting over set-aside at 7.30am before retiring to roost. 12 Teal and 4 Shoveler flushed from the largest of the ponds in front of Branshill Wood and a further c70 Shoveler seen heading west up the river. 6 Common Buzzard and the Red-tail over Branshill Wood late morning. 4 calling Water Rail on Holme pit were probably newly arrived continental birds also 1 Shoveler and several Tufted Duck. Small flock of Siskin on the edge of Clifton Wood and a large Tit flock consisting of mainly Long-tailed tit but with 2 Coal Tit, several Goldcrest and 2 Treecreeper.
Sightings from James Christmas this afternoon from Clifton Pastures
2 common buzzard,2 common kestrel,8 meadow pipit,60+linnet,14 goldfinch,2 wren,2 grey heron.
Saturday 17th October
33 Golden Plover with c50 Northern Lapwing this morning in field just off Barton Lane. 3 Stonechat 1 male/2 female on the set-aside facing the Rough Wood this afternoon. A small passage of Redwing this morning and small numbers of Meadow Pipit and Skylark heading east. A Little Owl found roosting in the hedgerow between the Rough Wood and Branshill Wood was a nice find.
Little Owl - in the hedgerow between Branshill/Rough Wood
Thursday 8th October
12 Corn Bunting this evening feeding in field just off Barton Lane. Also 78 Northern Lapwing, 6 Lesser-Black back Gull, c150 Blach-headed Gull and 24 Meadow Pipit in the area.
Sunday 4th October
The first male Stonechat of the Autumn was found this morning by the river near Barton Flash. 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff with a mobile tit flock near the Rough Wood. 6 Common Buzzard over Branshill Wood and 5 Swallow through to the S/W. C60 Northern Lapwing on field near Barton Lane and large flock of c70 Linnet in the area
Common Buzzard mobbed by Carrion Crow - Branshill Wood
Saturday 3rd October
Very quite today with most birds staying in covery to escape the high winds.
Friday 2nd October
An adult Peregrine was again seen over Branshill Wood this evening also 5 Swallow heading S/W.
Thursday 1st October
Managed to get out for a few hours this evening for the first time this week. 2 Shoveler and 14 Teal on Branshill Ponds, 12 Blackcap feeding on Elder berries in the hedgerow near the Rough Wood. 10 Jay in the two large Oaks collecting acorns between Branshill/Rough Wood. 5 Common Buzzard and the Red-tail over Branshill Wood. A single Barn Owl hunting over set-aside at dusk