Saturday, September 23, 2006

23rd September 2006

SN Reservoirs 0700-1145hrs MJP
misty & dull early, warm & sunny later. light SE.


Meadow Pipit - 73
Yellow Wagtail - 1
Sedge Warbler - 3
Reed Warbler - 7
Willow Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 8
Blackcap - 3
Pied Wagtail - 10
Grey Wagtail - 4
Barn Swallow - 16
House Martin - 5
Kingfisher - 2
Wigeon - 6
Little Grebe - 8

Thick mist for the first hour on patch, after which the skies slowly cleared and warm sunshine broke through from around 0845. Visible migration very impressive, although confined to a handful of species.


Meadow Pipits began moving from around 0830, in singles, small groups and larger parties (several of more than 15), and continued until around 1130; almost all flew south-west, and several singles alighted on the short grass by the ER. This is by far the largest number ever recorded in the area.



Other flyovers included another Yellow Wagtail south, four Grey Wagtails high and south-west, ten Pied Wagtails, good numbers of Greenfinch and Chaffinch, and two sp. of hirundine. Warbler passage continues to ebb and flow, with five species present, and at least three Sedge being the highlight.



Also: 2 Painted Lady, 4/5 Red Admiral and 8+ Speckled Wood.