I hadn't intended to visit the Obs, especially as it was absolutely chucking it down and the westerly wind was gusting at 40mph. But sometimes you just have to take a chance and it turned out to be a good decision, especially as I pulled into the Obs car park and the rain eased right off.
And it was a good start, as in the front garden, a Chiffchaff was feeding in amongst the Japonica. Next stop was the Obs Quarry and first bird spotted was a female/juvenile Stonechat, followed by a male Blackcap. Next was a Robin, then a Dunnock, another male Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs. In the quarry wall there was no sign of any Little Owls, but a Kestrel was sat on one of the ledges.
From the quarry I walked down through the hut fields to the south side of the Obs garden and here were 2 more Blackcaps and a Spotted Flycatcher.
A little further down, there is a gap in the treeline and through here you can walk into another hut field. It was pretty sheltered here and a good spot for one Chiffchaff, which was doing well catching flies along a wall.
The last leg was up the track to the north of the Obs and straight into the gale force wind. Along the Obs garden were 2 more Blackcaps in amongst the Brambles.
So nothing spectacular, but great to get out and blow some cobwebs away
Here are a few images and videos from today:
The Obs Quarry.
In the quarry wall a Kestrel tries to keep out of the rain.
I don't need to tell you it was windy and this Kestrel knows it too.
A juvenile or perhaps female Stonechat
A few Chiffchaffs about.
This one was in the hut fields
Ships Today
