Had a full day to myself today, so after looking at the weather forecasts, headed to St.Alban's head. Was going to go to Portland, but St.Alban's Head looked to have a bit more cloud overnight. First Wheatear was within a couple of minutes of leaving the car, and there was a good selection of common migrants on the outward walk to the Head. Counted 5 Wheatear and 4 Whinchats, plus 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Tree Pipit overhead (the call has stuck in my brain!). Also Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Sand Martin amongst Swallows.
Walk along the coast was fairly uneventful except for a couple of Shags out at sea, but the return through Winspit Valley was excellent with more Whatears and Whinchats at the bay, and an abundance of birds in the valley including Spotted Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Tree Pipits and another Yellow Wagtail overhead.
Called in at Stonehill Down for more Wheatears and Spotted Flycatcher.
Then I took a gamble on the bank holiday traffic, and drove to Keyhaven. Staying in the car for the worst of the midday sunshine. Keyhaven was busy with people for once! and I didn't see anything out of the ordinary today despite seeing a lot of species. Best Birds were 5 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, about 7 Yelow Wagtails, A Dartford Warbler and a Hobby overhead. There is a Wryneck on the reserve, but it wasn't showing when I was there. Also numbers of Wildfowl were up on previous weeks with a flock of 13 Wigeon, and many Teal. The only waders of note were 2 Juvenile Knot.
Finished the day watching a young Fox cause mass panic amongst the Tits near the balancing lake. With a bit of "Pishing" the flock came very close, and took several minutes to pass by. Managed to pick up Willow Warbler and Chiff-Chaff, plus a Goldcrest amongst the Long Tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Great Tits. |
