Spent this morning doing a census across the usual circuit. The highlight was a Coal Tit in the conifers near Bedzed, a Barn Owl and good numbers of common migrants. Here's a picture summary.
Male Stonechat- two present. There were up to 10 mid-month.
Male Reed Bunting- at least 8 along the east side of the lake.
About 50 Stock Dove also on the east side of the lake . Only about 20 Woodpigeons about at the moment but expecting the big autumn movements soon.
Snipe- only a few today. A week or two ago there were 14 Jack Snipe on site. I couldn't find any today.
Second-winter Yellow-legged Gull. Large numbers of gulls are now building. Probably 7-8,000 large gulls around, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, a few Lesser and Greater Black-backs and less than 10 Common Gulls.
Male Pheasant- we often get Pheasants appearing this time of year- presumably local migrants
20+ Goldfinch, 50+ Linnet, 10 Chaffinch and 5 Greenfinch today
Skylarks- a few flying around. 4-5 in total today.
Plenty of migrant Blackbirds (20+), also 15+ Redwing , 20+ Robin and Dunnocks. Wrens are getting in the ruderal habitat now.
Jays are still collecting acorns- been at it since the beginning of the month
An influx of Pied Wagtails- about 15 around
Red Kite from a couple of days ago, also had a cracking Barn Owl today that landed on a dead tree briefly before it noticed me and disappeared before I got a chance to get a photo. Also a Buzzard today.
