Birds in a bush

I just love the photograph above. This morning, at Priest Hill, there was a bit of activity along the central path. Apart from a group of chats (5 Stone and 3 Whin) there were quite a few pipits zipping about. Up to 30 Meadows were hiding in the rank vegetation, popping up now and again to perch on the top of bushes. Their calls appeared to entice a few of their brethren down from above, including this bird that dropped like a stone into the middle of a bush, immediately followed by a Chiffchaff. I can only apologise that they were not a Tennessee Warbler and Olive-backed Pipit. At least two Tree Pipits were involved in this mornings movement, which is worth a double-celebration from me as I appear to be hearing this species calling once again - I had feared that they had dropped out of my aural register. Back at home a dribble of pipits, wagtails and finches accompanied a spot of gardening. I'm primed for a big movement - it's overdue.

As for the chats, there had been some turnover from yesterday, but whether or not a few - or all - had moved on, to be replaced by new birds, is impossible to tell. The only certainty is that one of the Whinchats was new in. This heavy passage of Stonechats has been replicated elsewhere, with counts of 50+ at Medmerry (West Sussex), 19 at Papercourt Meadows (Surrey), 29 at Richmond Park (Surrey) and 39 at Titchfield Haven (Hants). Most of these will be birds that have come from the breeding grounds of Ireland, western Scotland and NW England. Some will seek wintering quarters as far south as North African and Iberia, although many will establish winter territories in the southern half of England. Such high numbers surely point to an incredibly successful breeding season rather than a response to weather conditions.

Comments

Gibster said…
Still plenty of Stonechat presence here on Skye. But, as you say, whether or not they are the same birds or replacements... Certainly there are more here now than I would see in the winter period, so I expect a clear out at some point.
29 September 2020 at 23:01
Ric said…
That's a great picture Steve. I haven't seen one like that before, though maybe I haven't noticed.
As for hearing. Have you tried one of the many online hearing tests? It will give you an idea of where you stand or how old your ears might be.
30 September 2020 at 07:33
Steve Gale said…
Seth: they should all depart by the end of October I believe
Ric: Redwings, Swifts and Tree Pipits are lost at distance, although I can still register crests and reeling Grasshopper Warblers.
30 September 2020 at 17:57
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Goldfinches and Lavender

Image
We have three medium-sized Lavender bushes in our back garden. Throughout the summer the flowers (which last for several months) are a magnet for insects and give off a most restful aroma. As tempting as it is to cut the dead stems in the autumn, we always leave them, as we know that during the late winter we will get visitors to feed on the seed heads... This video was taken from the kitchen window this morning. We will normally see one or two birds over a few days, but have had up to 14 at once. We never tire of watching them. Lavender is a wonderful plant to have in the garden, with year round natural history benefits. So what are you waiting for? They are readily available at a garden centre close to you right now! There is an historic association with Lavender in this part of northern Surrey and south London. Lavender fields have been harvested for many years, with one particular field close to Woodmansterne being very popular with day trippers. A significant proportion o
Read more

Time to reflect

I normally come up with the title for a post after I have written it. If I'm feeling creative it will be some sort of play on words, or if I'm not then an all-encompassing word or two will do. As for this particular post, and with a few things to discuss, I've written the title first, inspired by having just read a feature about musicians who have used the title of an album as the starting point for their creative exercise. Here goes... Firstly, blogs - yes, this very medium that I am writing in and you are reading from. - what content they derive, the reason that the content exists and what the writer should (or should not) expect from any reader that visits the blog. This was brought into sharp focus by a series of posts to be found here, at Jono Lethbridge's excellent 'Wansted Birder'.   His blogging output has recently included detailed and entertaining reports on his recent overseas trips which have received a bit of flak from certain quarters. None of us b
Read more

To tell it like it is, or not...

Image
I am grateful to Gavin Haig (Not Quite Scilly) who drew my attention to an opinion piece, penned by Matt Phelps, which appeared in the November issue of 'Birdwatch' magazine, entitled 'Positive Approach', which I have now read. In it, he suggests that there is too much negativity being posted on social media regarding the state of our birding world, which is then acting as a deterrent towards a younger generation in adopting conservation and wildlife study. He also suggests that a lot of this negativity is being generated by older birders, and that these old timers keep banging on about the 'good old days' which isn't helpful in encouraging the youth to pick up a pair of binoculars and get out into the field. Does he have a point? Now, I am undeniably an older birder, and I am also guilty of having posted, blogged, written and spoken about the slump in bird and invertebrate numbers. I also like nothing better than to revisit my notebooks and share in the hi
Read more