15th Sep 2015

Early this morning there were a lot of Chiffchaffs calling and occasionally singing around the reservoir in various areas and I think there must have been about ten around. The best bird of the morning was the (assuming it is the same one) Black-tailed Godwit. It flew in to the pasture field to the west of the reservoir and settled for several minutes. Where it came from though I don't know! On leaving a Siskin flew over the entrance.

John took over the baton and managed to see another eight Siskins, two Blackcaps and a Spotted Flycatcher in the hedge through the cattle field. Returning at lunch time John found a lovely male Redsart, but it was unfortunately rather flighty.  It's good to have another and there seem to have been fewer recorded this year. There was also a Willow Warbler that seemed very fresh in and four Meadow Pipits that flew over south.

Courtesy and copyright of John Friendship-Taylor

I returned late afternoon to try and see the Redstart, which unfortunately wasn't around but there was two Wheatears. The Spotted Flycatcher was still in the large hedge through the cattle field and another four Meadow Pipits flew over just as John arrived (I heard them but John actually saw them to confirm the number). A large number of Black-headed Gulls was gathering and a lesser number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls had a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull with them. As we were stood talking a flock of around 50 hirundines built up and slowly trickled off to the south. Most were very high up and most were Swallows but a few House Martins were present too.

Courtesy and copyright of John Friendship-Taylor

John continued on and managed to find another two Spotted Flycatchers on the edge of the wood, where there was also another two or three Willow Warblers. Before leaving John was chatting to Mike in the car park and another large group of hirundines went over. apparently Mike's rough count was 110 birds!