Autumn Migration Starts

 It's been a good week, despite the hissing down rain, as the first few passerine migrants started to appear.

 

Yesterday was full of interest around the Mere and the first bird I saw on arrival in first field was a Wheatear, followed by two Whinchats and four Black Terns. Ruff flew south overhead on their out and I got photos of a couple over the Mere. Later a Hobby was over Heslop's and a couple of Marsh Harriers flew over too. 

 

Chiff Chaffs were singing and a single Willow Warbler was seen, as were three Lesser Whitethroats and a Common Whitethroat.The 15-strong Barnacle Goose herd that has been here for a while expanded to 31 and a Curlew flew over going west.

 

Dave H messaged to say he'd just seen 3 Great White Egrets and 4 Little Egrets over the boat yard heading towards the Mere, and a short while afterwards they appeared at the Mere:

Three Great White Egrets landing in the tree tops

Four Little Egrets appearing

The seven Black Terns from Thursday had dwindled to four and were very mobile over by the north shore. Photos were taken but they were at extreme range and are meagre record shots.

Two of the four distant Black Terns

Black Tern (centre of pic!)

Wheatear and two Whinchat on first field fence

Wheatear

Two Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

Ruff fly-by

Ruff leaving the Mere going south

Ruff over the Mere

Chiff Chaff in first field

As above

Earlier in the week a few Common Sandpipers called in to the Mere and gave a brief photo opportunity:

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpipers

Same Common Sandpipers as above

A couple of Hobbies came by as I walked along the south side and gave great views. One seemed to be just polishing off a dragonfly as it appeared.

Hobby munching

Hobby

Two Hobbies

Willow Warbler

Despite seeing Black Terns, Wheatear and Whinchats this week, the highlight for me was on Tuesday when I spotted two Mistle Thrushes in the trees by Wassand Hall. They have been conspicuous absentees from my Mere list this year, so it was good to see them at last. Normally they are seen quite often during January and February but not this year.

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

In the same area, a Jay flew through just a minute or so after the thrushes. The light was grim and over-exposure was the quickest way to get a shot or two before it disappeared.

An over-exposed Jay

I don't usually end on a question but I will this time. On a walk round the garden today I saw a small hole had appeared overnight. It's not big enough for a mole so I'm guessing it's a mouse of some kind. I've left the trailcam pointing at it so hopefully something will emerge eventually (or not 😀).

The hole is being monitored by a trailcam