22nd Sept - 100 up!!

I managed to get up ust in time to join Steve to record the moths, there were not as many as Friday but still a reasonable selection, I was happy with Bordered Beauty, Orange Sallow (new for the year) and Pale Pinion, all species I don't see a lot. although might do if i got up earlier more often!!

Orange Sallow

Pale Pinion

After the moths a tentative walk, on what was a gloriously fresh bright morning had to be done, one of the first birds heard was a GREY WAGTAIL after going all year without one 2 in 3 visits was very welcome. The first of around 6 CHIFFCHAFFS was calling in the car park and both GREYLAG and CANADA GEESE could be heard as they stretched their wings around the grounds. Several large gulls were flying north in varying  numbers probably 50 or so passed by in my visit of a couple of hours mainly HERRING with the odd LESSER BLACK BACKED for company. REED BUNTINGS and YELLOWHAMMERS mingled with CHAFFINCHES in the hedgerows, with numbers of the latter definitely building at the moment. One feature of the morning were a few JAYS seen flying over high mainly heading south in ones and twos, I counted 8. A scan of the hay bales produced what I was looking for my first WHEATEAR (100) of the year, it was closely followed by another and then a STONECHAT (101) joined them eventually all on the same bale! I gradually made my way back to the top of the field and looked across the valley for a short time, a SKYLARK called as did a single BLACKCAP, the last bit of action was a GREY HERON overhead, no raptors today but a very pleasant visit.

Wheatear

Stonechat getting the cold shoulder!!

Chiffchaff in song

Morning Squirrel