Sivsanger og flere

Well, they cut the hay, teddered it the next day and baled it the day after. All was now clear to get onto the site beyond the area where they had been working on the river bank "repair". Three hours of blood, sweat and tears (high pollen count) saw another four racks cut out through head-high banks of thick nettle, reed, bramble, rose bay and Himalayan balsam. Two years ago I attempted a couple of sessions in the same places during August and concluded that it might be a good place for warbler passage. Now to put it to the test over the next two months.

This sub-site is right under a traditional Buzzard nest (below).

In between rounds. we were entertained by three Little Egrets, one of which was getting the worst of it. The local Swallows are now up to 40+ and going for another tranche of broods. Three Linnets appear every morning, flying high over the trees after exiting from somewhere close by; but where? 

Rear view of a young male Kingfisher

The Kingfishers and Dippers put in occasional appearances, as does the odd Blue Tit; there's an enigma in the middle of nowhere! Other signs of autumn - a Green Sandpiper flew backwards and forwards over our heads, giving its characteristic yodelling 'tittu'ee-tittu'ee' call, a Jay announcing its presence with its far-carrying call and the return of the cackling winter Canada goose flock.

We are also able to get a short net across the stream/river close by, where it could be possible to catch those migrant sandpipers as a bonus. The feeding Swifts are a bit trickier, but watching them dive down low between the reeded banks is satisfaction enough for a few (all too few) more weeks.

A couple of consecutive early morning sessions saw 13 species caught, 5 of which were warbler species. It's early days yet.

2CY male Common Whitethroat

Juvenile Blackcap

2CY male Blackcap

Juvenile Sedge Warbler

The list:

Kingfisher (1) -  from just over a week ago

Great Tit 1 - just one of several that "own" this stretch of river

Chiffchaff 3 - all juvs. as expected, and all males on size

Willow Warbler 1 - first of the autumn, a juvenile female

Blackcap 6 - including a pair of 2CY birds (nesting) 

Whitethroat 1 - a male nesting nearby; they must be close to having free-flying young by now (breeding hampered by the cold weather until 4 weeks ago)

Sedge Warbler 1 - first of the autumn, a juvenile

Wren 2 - incl.a very bleached and abraded old male (6M)

Blackbird 5 - included a 2CY pair

Song Thrush 2 - a first and a second brood bird (3O & 3JJ) 

Robin 4 (1) - 1 2CY adult

Dunnock 1 - juv. just starting post-juvenile moult (3JP)

Chaffinch 1 - juv male (on size)

New - 27, re-captures - 2

2CY European Robin

Adult (3CY+) male Eurasian Wren

Situated in a wide valley surrounded by hills, come nine o'clock, the sun reaches all parts of the site and we call it a day. Recently, there has been a stiff north-easterly blowing which also hampers our efforts. You can't win them all and we have to grab any reasonable chance that presents itself. That, we hope, will be another couple of sessions this week-end - after some sorely needed rain. [Last night's storms missed us]