After having had good views of Dave's Stonechat on Tuesday I was inspired today to look for migrants in the Park. The only summer visitor that I noted was a Chiffchaff singing in the Ambassador's garden for which I felt very sorry given how cold and miserable the weather was. Rose
17 Mar: Few new migrants in last 48 hours; this morning was dull and drizzly before a heavy shower arrived at 08:00.
Four singing chiffchaffs (all of which probably arrived a day or two ago) before 08:00 in areas 1 (Winfield House grounds), 12, 34 (moving to 30), and 40.
Pied Wagtail heard flying over area 31 at 07:20.
My first *singing* male Blackcap of the year seen on Inner Circle, in area 10 (The Holme) before flying across road to area 19, at 07:40.
Thanks again for the info. I have just noticed a past comment with your route/s around the park. You pretty much cover the main hotspots. Area 20, the hedge line bordering Marylebone Green and Avenue Gardens, is an area that can attract good migrants, viewed from either side. It is the location where we had a Melodious Warbler several years ago.
Thanks for the great tip about the hedgerow in area 20 - I'll add it to the end of my route! (On sunny days, I'll walk the Avenue Gardens side southwards for maximum visibility; on windy days, the sheltered side.)
In southern Ontario where I grew up, the twitcher's equivalent of a Melodious ('Old-World') Warbler would be something like a Prothonotary ('New-World') Warbler, overshooting its breeding grounds on a strong southerly breeze in early May. You don't know what you're missing!
Hi Birdman. Now don't depress me with all those beautiful New World Warblers. Not that I am a serious twitcher, normally it has to be within an hour of where I happen to be when new breaks. The only UK New World passerines I have seen are autumn Blackpoll,Red-eyed Vireo, Bobolink, Northern Waterthrush and Grey-cheeked Thrush. I did see a few more on a family holiday to Florida, so know what I am missing.
Comments
Four singing chiffchaffs (all of which probably arrived a day or two ago) before 08:00 in areas 1 (Winfield House grounds), 12, 34 (moving to 30), and 40.
Pied Wagtail heard flying over area 31 at 07:20.
My first *singing* male Blackcap of the year seen on Inner Circle, in area 10 (The Holme) before flying across road to area 19, at 07:40.
I await a sunny morning, hoping that the birds show in their usual location.
It is great to see your name, let us hope that there will be plenty of birds for you to keep me updated along with a few others.
Thanks again for the info. I have just noticed a past comment with your route/s around the park. You pretty much cover the main hotspots. Area 20, the hedge line bordering Marylebone Green and Avenue Gardens, is an area that can attract good migrants, viewed from either side. It is the location where we had a Melodious Warbler several years ago.
Thanks for the great tip about the hedgerow in area 20 - I'll add it to the end of my route! (On sunny days, I'll walk the Avenue Gardens side southwards for maximum visibility; on windy days, the sheltered side.)
In southern Ontario where I grew up, the twitcher's equivalent of a Melodious ('Old-World') Warbler would be something like a Prothonotary ('New-World') Warbler, overshooting its breeding grounds on a strong southerly breeze in early May. You don't know what you're missing!
Now don't depress me with all those beautiful New World Warblers. Not that I am a serious twitcher, normally it has to be within an hour of where I happen to be when new breaks. The only UK New World passerines I have seen are autumn Blackpoll,Red-eyed Vireo, Bobolink, Northern Waterthrush and Grey-cheeked Thrush. I did see a few more on a family holiday to Florida, so know what I am missing.