I had a very quick visit to the Old Golf & Tennis court area around 7.15am on the way back from collecting my paper. There wasn’t much to be seen apart from tits, Willow/Chiffs and a couple of Blackcaps. I bumped into Birdman-euston and mentioned that he should keep an eye out for Whinchats as so many were arriving on the east coast. I had seen quite few yesterday on the North Norfolk Coast while Sally visited her mum in hospital. I left (B-E) and went home for breakfast when a phone call had me woofing down my toast and rushing back to the junior cricket pitch and a Whinchat that could be flushed at any moment. I watched it get moved from one area of fencing to another before it thought the park isn’t the place for me and departed northwards.
Other News
Common Sandpiper: one circled the lake at 8.30am before gaining height and heading off eastwards.
Swallow: 2 birds flew NE.
House Martin: 75 were over the lake early morning.
Spotted Flycatcher: one was in the Secret Garden, area 30.
Blackcap: at least 15 around with 9 of those being seen in the trees that border the rose wheel, area 17.
Garden Warbler:3 present, 2 of which showed well in the SE corner of area 31.
Common Whitethroat: 2 were seen.
Willow Warbler: 10+ present.
Chiffchaff: 18+ present.
Below are a some pictures from Norfolk
Comments
7 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Kingfisher Longbridge Sanctuary a.m. - male seen fishing opposite viewing platform area 35 10:00, 20+ House Martin, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler N of kids' playground a.3, 2 Whitethroat chat bush a.34, 1 Spotted Flycatcher S end of Wildlife Gdn a.20 noon, 2 Whinchat chat bush brambles W end 12:45-15:30 at least, f/imm Northern Wheatear [site autumn-1st] below Hill lookout a.51 at 06:40.