Today was perfect
Farm weather Low cloud overcast, NE wind with showers but would it facilitate a
movement of birds?! The early signs were good with a couple of Common Tern
arriving from the E joining the mass of airborne gulls that had been spooked by
a streamer bird (gull that has picked up some kind of tape or bag which trails
from a leg or wing in flight) which as a rule causes chaos amongst the rest of
the gulls!
The star bird of the
day did not make an appearance until the end of the day and well after I had
left the Farm. I had just gone home from catching up on chores when Dodge rang
informing me that Pete Alfrey had a Black Redstart in his back garden. Pete’s
flat is situated within Beddington Farmlands recording area on the W side of
the railway. My shopping was abandoned on the kitchen floor and the Kojemobile
set on out a short but tricky journey just on the edge of rush hour!
The bird was feeding
in an adjacent garden popping up on the fence line intermittently. Frank scored
his 201st Farm tick and my total took another step towards the 200
mark. That bird was easy enough although I am surprised the site does not hold
more of this species.
The Farm had
produced again with Dunlin arriving earlier and migrating to 100Acre where they
joined Greenshank and Little Ringed Plover. The Redshank preferred to battle it
out on the North Lake with the gulls where a first year Caspian Gull was noted.
The Glaucous Gull was observed perched on a post first thing in the works area.
A Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail were also noted on the mound.
I have submitted the
Temminck’s Stint and Goshawk (additional observer) rarity submissions to Surrey
and await their judgement. I have seen four new species for my Farm list during
my Spring-watch which tomorrow enters into its thirty forth day. The longest
day so far has been thirteen hours!
I can feel another trip coming on!
No comments:
Post a Comment