The Bagsy Blog: The Wanderer

Tuesday, 9 December 2014

The Wanderer - Dion

Not wishing to sound too pedantic but, it has always puzzled me why Saturday and Sunday are referred to as the WEEKEND, with one being the end while the other is the beginning. Nevertheless, it and Monday, have proved to be most interesting for Birds on Parley Court Farm as well as an unexpected visit from my friend Dave Foot. The last time we met Moths were on the wing but, having cleaned and stowed the Moth Traps away this very day, it will likely be next year that we see one of those beautiful creatures again. It should be told that a single trap has been left 'on site' more in hope than expectation. On arrival at Harbins a quick check of the bird tables was followed by a wander down to the 5th Fairway and a stroll along the River Stour.

Right underfoot a

LITTLE GREBE

showed itself, followed by the monosyllabic call, immediately recognised, of a

CHIFFCHAFF

in fact not just one but a mind blowing c6.

Most of these tiny nondescript Warblers are now enjoying life in

warmer climes to the south as are most

BLACK CAP

but this female is still gracing PCF.

Unfortunately, the next interesting arrival didn't stop in fact all c5

GOLDEN PLOVER

(archive photo)

simply continued their flight to the east.

Maybe surprisingly, this species is an addition to the Property List

as I can find no one who can remember seeing one before! This, along

with the Black-tailed Godwit, is the second addition this week.

Not only were

REED BUNTING

numerous along this beat of the river, but later good numbers were also found

in the vast Weed Field behind the Eco Recycling Plant.

c21 were recorded in total.

A small flock of about 15

SISKIN

were noted feeding from the bank-side Alders and before returning to

Harbins to drive to the North Sector of the Farm

where my arrival coincided with a 'slash' on the recently dug
Gravel Pit which turned out to be an adult male

TEAL
the first Wildfowl noted here and one of a day total of c11.
'Firsts' for the Winter Period included

STOCK DOVE (also c11)

KESTRAL (a single seen to take a large Vole/Mouse)

LINNET

(a newly arrived flock? of about 50)
along with

REED BUNTING (c15).
On Merritown Heath we counted 10

DARTFORD WARBLER
plus c5

STONECHAT
there and a further c6 on the Parley side.

GREEN SANDPIPER
were represented by c2 which are the first since the summer, but
then the Pièce de résistance a

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF

first located on call

followed by a merry chase until it finally settled in the Birches.
Another long outstanding visitor yesterday was a

PEREGRINE

which first circled Harbins Farm House before cutting off to the east.
Not at all a frequent bird here!
(archive photo, we certainly didn't get that close!)
and finally, while the frost has taken its toll of most of the
Fungi these 2 specimens were found.