Pied Flycatcher in area 29.
Early morning migration over the park.Pied Flycatcher: 1 was present in the area just behind the feeders in area 29. This is at least two weeks earlier than our average date for departing birds.
Sedge Warbler: 1 was singing by Long Bridge at 6.00am, area 25.
Willow Warbler: 2 birds in area 25 and 26.
Chiffchaff: 3 birds in area 29.
Blackcap: 6 birds at least in area 29.
Reed Warbler: 2 juveniles moving between the reed beds at the north eastern end of the lake, area 26.
Goldfinch: A flock of around 30 were feeding on thistles in area 26.
Common Tern: 2 birds over the lake.
Sparrowhawk: An adult female flew through area 15 this morning.
Kingfisher: 1 was seen flying over the lake on Sunday.
Comments
Quite large movement of swifts (300+) yesterday evening at 6.30 heading SW from Gloucester Gate. Don't know if this is early for them to be heading south?
Piers
My work colleague also noted a large number of swifts over his house yesterday evening. It might be fractionally early for them to be departing the UK. They do move great distances when looking for food, and this year I think they have struggled due to the bad weather. This could prompt them to go earlier than usual. We have recorded a couple of birds in the park that are at least three weeks early. I was in Norfolk for a long weekend and recorded my earliest Black and Red throated Divers, Arctic Skuas were also there in good numbers, possibly a week or to earlier than normal.