Not quite the clear skies that were forecast yesterday to start the day. Cloud eventually began to move of to the NW and a few birds began to move, nothing really significant until!
Hoopoe: While watching a party of 4 Magpies heading over the park at 8.50am, they suddenly deviated and gained height. What appeared to be their intended victim was a little bit higher and in front of them. I had a double take, it couldn’t be. Large rounded black and white wings, buff coloured body and a long bill. I hastily grabbed the telescope and tripod and was amazed to see a Hoopoe heading slightly away from me towards the SW. It must have seen the pursuers coming as it looked agitated, with head raised and flapping fairly quickly. Though a medium sized bird it would have been no competition if the Magpies had made up the ground. Fortunately they were on a slightly different course and headed off westwards. I watched as the bird headed off and in to the distance, superb.
Skylark: one flew east.
Meadow Pipit: eight singles, one landed briefly.
Pied Wagtail: seven birds in ones and two’s.
Redwing: six flew west.
Chaffinch: one hundred and forty in small parties headed mainly NW.
Brambling: two singles were picked out amongst the Chaffinches.
Common/Meally Redpoll: two were briefly in the trees in the Leaf Yard Wood, area 41.
Lesser Redpoll: four birds a pair and two singles.
Siskin: 22 birds in small groups.
Magpie: fourteen birds in small groups and flying quite high, were definitely not local birds.
Chiffchaff: two by my garden.
One of the high fliers
Comments
Anything truly can turn up anywhere at anytime!
Well done mate!
I take it you are no longer marooned on the Azores. I am off to the extreme SW of the UK on Saturday. I hopefully we will have a couple of good blows. I haven't been able to do any sea watching so far this autumn.
What a great bird, Shame you did not get a shot of it,
Good spot Mate.
The weather up until then had not been that bright, and the camera was at home. As you know that is sods law.