Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Last week saw a combination of rain, northerly winds and cold temperatures that conspired to prevent early migrants moving our way. Internet bird news confirmed the paucity of birds - a flurry of Chiffchaffs, the occasional Wheatear, and a smattering only of pipits and wagtails. Excitement arrived in the form of a few high flying Ospreys headed for Scotland.
Tuesday's forecast looked likely to break the deadlock with southerly winds and temperatures forecast to be in the teens. If only. I arranged to meet with Andy at Oakenclough at 0630 but stopped briefly for the obligatory Barn Owl.
Barn Owl
The morning was 100% cloud with gradual clearance into a sunny but still chilly morning. Birds were few and far between and a miserly catch of just 6 birds, about as bad as it gets with neither rhyme nor reason to explain our disappointment.
Visible migration seemed nil apart from a handful of Meadow Pipits and a high-fly flock of either Redpolls or Siskins that numbered about 25. Our catch comprised 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Robin, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock and 1 Blue Tit.
By 1100 hours we'd called time on the morning.
Lesser Redpoll
Lesser Redpoll
Other birds seen - 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Buzzard, 15 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing.
On the drive home back home via Rawcliffe Moss I stopped to watch a Kestrel and then spotted the pair of Highland Cattle, many miles from Scotland.
Highland Cattle
Kestrel
Back home we have a regular Grey Squirrel looking for food and nest building Collared Doves, Woodpigeons and Greenfinches.
Grey Squirrel
Collared Dove
Greenfinch
More news soon I hope. "Things can only get better" for .
On reading the latest news back home it appears that migration was much more obvious in coastal locations with Sand Martins, Wheatears, Siskins and Willow Warblers in evidence.