The weather it be changing. This morning it was still fairly warm but very cloudy and in fact 10 minutes into my walk and the drizzle began to fall, though fortunately it didn't last long.
There were quite a few migrants about with northerly passage of Siskins, Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits, with one large "flock" of 50+ mipits in the Lower Horse Paddock and adjacent field to the east. In the opposite direction were 100's of Swallows and House Martins flying low and fast over the fields.
Those in not so much of a hurry were 4 Wheatear in the lower Horse Paddock, 2 Chiffchaff in the Lane and a pair of Blackcaps feeding on the Blackberries behind the Pool, where there were also 3 juvenile Blackbirds and another Chiffchaff.
Here are a few images from today:
One of the 4 Wheatears in the Lower Horse Paddock poses for the camera.
I couldn't resist another shot.
Okay last one.
Well maybe not quite yet. Here is a video of the Wheatear.
Also in the field were plenty of House Sparrows. Since they lost their habitat alongside The Old Quarry Lane, they have taken up residence in the paddock. And in good numbers I'm pleased to say.
.....The trees and bushes down this lane are a magnet for migrating warblers, crests and tits. The past 3 Autumns has seen Yellow-browed Warblers, Pallas's Warbler, Firecrests and many Chiffchaffs and Willows Warblers pass down here. With the blocks in the way, there will no traffic obviously, but no dust that in years gone by has absolutely smothered everything in sight. I have a feeling this is going to be a great Autumn birdwatching down here.
And its not just the lane that looks as if it will be a good spot, but also the pools. There is no access to them now as contractors have isolated it by building a track to the north and bund to the south. The only way to it is from the lane by scaling the embankment. Today feeding on the Blackberries behind the reed beds were Blackcaps and Blackbirds, but back on 25 Oct 17 there was a Radde's Warbler here and also briefly the following morning. This is also a great location for Water Rail and Snipe.
There were a good number of Starlings and..........
..........this one was busy feeding on grubs in the soil.
Broadcroft Quarry Lane and the two large stone blocks stopping the traffic from driving down it...
Oh dear I can hear the Groomers calling Ted. I'm going to have call you Scruffy from now on.
Well here is again in the lane, trying to find the way up the embankment
He took his time but he made it.
Mammals Recorded: Bunny
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, House Martin, Swallow, 100+ Meadow Pipit, 5 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 4 Wheatear, Blackbird, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, 4 Siskin and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Small White and 1 Red Admiral
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae)
Hoverflies Recorded: Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax) and Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, House Martin, Swallow, 100+ Meadow Pipit, 5 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 4 Wheatear, Blackbird, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, 4 Siskin and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Small White and 1 Red Admiral
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae)
Hoverflies Recorded: Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax) and Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)