2 Oct 18

Broadcroft Quarry Lane and Horse Paddocks

The past few days have seen, Wryneck, Hoopoe and Turtle Dove (yesterday) in and around the paddocks. Sadly no "unusual" birds today, but 2 Goldcrests at the the top of Moorfield Road were my first of this species this Autumn.

Other birds of interest were 33 Meadow Pipits in the bottom paddock, with one very light individual, which stood out against the olive-green of the other birds around it, a Blackcap in the lane and a Chiffchaff in the scrubland to the north of the top Paddock.

Here are a few images from this morning:

The bottom paddock

Looking south

Stonechat

Stonechat

Stonechat

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Something has caught the eye of this Kestrel.

Hornet Mimic Hoverfly

This is Pampas Grass, Cortaderia selloana..........

.....an ornamental plant that has been growing wild since the 1920's. More on this grass here.

Birds Recorded were: 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 6 Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 33 Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Stonechat, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Also recorded: 1 Large White, 3 Speckled Woods and a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)