A week late starting this year. Been up and cleared a couple of net rides tonight and Tree Pipits are on the move in decent numbers at several local watch points so first go in the morning..
If anyone wishes to pop up during this autumn you are more than welcome to do so.
Clear, Sunny and calm to 5 SW. Bit of cloud for 1/2 hr.
First go this autumn in lovely sunny and calm conditions specifically for some Tree Pipits. Not to disappointed as there was a steady trickle all the time I was there. Ended with 16 passing over but strangely very few dropping in and only 2 going into the nets, and 1 of them got out! Only other notables were a nice Treecreeper which are rare up there, an unusually high number of M Pipits, and 4 singles Skylarks going south. Not seen this before so early. A few W Warbs and Redpolls flitting about the trees but quite quiet bar them.. Had to pack up early at 9.15am.
Overcast then thick cloud and heavy drizzle rolled in. 10 SW wind picking up.
2 nets. 7 birds ringed.
A late start and had to finish early due to heavy drizzle and a nagging/bored 8 yr old daughter!
Got 2 nets set up for 7am but it was quiet birdwise with very little moving prob due to visibility to the north being c100yrds but occasionally it lifted and the odd Tree Pipit (9) came through.
Only other noticeable movement was of Swallows heading south skimming the grass in the damp conditions. Defo migrating and moving quickly and not doubling back.
Migrants-
Tree Pipit - 9 south. 1-2's. ( 4 ringed ).
M Pipit - c 15 singles.
Swallow - c 50. small groups.
L Redpoll - 6 singles. ( ad fem from 2016 re-trapped).
Other birds seen - Goldcrest 4+ (2 ringed), Bullfinch 4, Robin 2 (1 ringed), small tit flock containing 4+ Coal Tits,
Pics.. Sophie releasing a Tree Pipit and a Goldcrest.
Thick fog which occasionally lifted a bit. 5SW wind.
2 nets (targeting T Pipit), 13 birds ringed.
A proper pea souper up the this morning which barely lifted all session, and it no doubt killed most movement. During the brief brighter spells some birds moved through. Highlight bird was a, 1st for up there, Little Egret low and heading south towards Clowbridge Res through the murk but no sign of it on the res as i passed on the way home late morning. Not much else passing over.
Next best was a nice Grasshopper Warbler caught about 10ft up in a net in the middle of a pine tree copse. Unusual in that they normally go in a net about a foot high and rarely any higher, and more so out of any grass/ rushes but in thick woodland!! Also there was a few W Warbs but obviously more Chiffchaff around than last 2 visits with 4+ males singing close together.
