The chatering masses

Again a trip first thing on the access road proved very fruitful. A proper count of yellow wagtails this morning revealed 52; but only a small portion of yesterday mornings count – which in hindsight I believe could have been closer to 200 if I had the time to count them properly. Certainly Rutland water has had a 250 yesterday, and Birdguides report a massive influx across the midlands and east coast – the possible theory being they are moving further north with climate change and farming practices – resulting in these new ‘passages’ not seen before. We see a lone citrine wagtail has been seen at Cley in North Norfolk – so maybe I’ll have a good look through them again tomorrow. Yellow wagtail this morning by Michael Flowers.

Anyway in amongst have been around 40 linnet, and this fine wheatear spotted by Jess and later photographed by Michael here. Visit his blog for the in depth review.

However I was pleased to find this whinchat – an uncommon tophill species on the roadside:



Again same story as yesterday – by midday yellow wagtails had dwindled to 20 and by 17:00 all that remained were five curlew.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings on the road, but around the site another productive day; black necked grebe still on D res. John Wilkinson had osprey over south at 10:30, also over but not stopping were two dunlin and three ringed plover reported by HVWG. The marshes still retain their three curlew sandpipers and late afternoon saw two ruff and a passing knot. Lesser whitethroat and willow warbler also seen.

Finally an ominous sign was the arrival of 5 early goldeneye – 3 females and two males – has anyone noticed a lot of hawthorn berries this year?...