This a.m. at St. Mary’s,migrating Barnacle Geese were on the move, my first of the Autumn,with a total of 7 Skiens seen,5 heading south and 2 north. Their calls a sure sign of the changing seasons.Over 800 in total. One other observer reported 500 more in the afternoon. A flock of Pink Feet also headed south ,around 230 in number.
In the bushes of the wetland, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs,4 Goldcrests and then 4 Lesser Redpolls seen ,with a few Tree Sparrows. A Peregrine appeared over the fields to the west, putting up flocks of Linnets, Skylarks,Starlings and Lapwings ( 200+). Kestrel and Sparrowhawk also noted. 10 Swallows and 12 House Martins were hawking for insects over the wetland.
Butterflies seen in the warm sun,included 15 Speckled Woods,a few even on the rocks of the shore, Large White, Red Admirals and a dragonfly,a female Migrant Hawker .
A.S.Jack