My birding has been confined to my local patch at Moor Green Lakes throughout October, as I have finished off jobs at home and in the garden. The regular gang of thirty or so House Sparrows, that visit the feeders in my garden daily, keep me busy topping up their supply of food, they certainly get through a lot of it. Any seed thrown onto the ground by the Sparrows, isn't wasted and is eaten by the Collared Doves and Woodpigeon, who wait eagerly underneath.
At Moor Green Lakes on the 7th, there were fifty or so HOUSE MARTIN, feeding up over West Fen, before continuing on their migration to Africa, probably my last sighting of them for this year, until they return next spring.
The cattle have returned to the reserve, to help keep the vegetation down and on the 16th, they flushed a dozen SNIPE from the western margin of Colebrook Lake North, which flew towards the hide, where I was watching from. They veered off towards Tern Island, where they landed in the tall weeds and were hidden from view. They were too quick for me take any photos, I have only ever managed shots of them on the ground feeding.
During October we have had some mild and sunny days, which the BARN OWL has taken full advantage of, by standing at the entrance to the owl box and sunbathing, certainly making the most of it whilst it lasts.
On the 20th, a male DARTFORD WARBLER was seen at the Manor Farm area of the reserve, which was keeping company with two pair of STONECHAT. This was my first at Moor Green and according to records, the first seen here since 1998 and only the second record overall. I wonder if it is here for the winter, I hope so.
Throughout the month, I have seen regular sightings of KINGFISHER, than I have seen for some time, hopefully they have had a successful breeding season and the coming winter won't be too harsh for them.
At Moor Green Lakes on the 7th, there were fifty or so HOUSE MARTIN, feeding up over West Fen, before continuing on their migration to Africa, probably my last sighting of them for this year, until they return next spring.
The cattle have returned to the reserve, to help keep the vegetation down and on the 16th, they flushed a dozen SNIPE from the western margin of Colebrook Lake North, which flew towards the hide, where I was watching from. They veered off towards Tern Island, where they landed in the tall weeds and were hidden from view. They were too quick for me take any photos, I have only ever managed shots of them on the ground feeding.
During October we have had some mild and sunny days, which the BARN OWL has taken full advantage of, by standing at the entrance to the owl box and sunbathing, certainly making the most of it whilst it lasts.
On the 20th, a male DARTFORD WARBLER was seen at the Manor Farm area of the reserve, which was keeping company with two pair of STONECHAT. This was my first at Moor Green and according to records, the first seen here since 1998 and only the second record overall. I wonder if it is here for the winter, I hope so.
Throughout the month, I have seen regular sightings of KINGFISHER, than I have seen for some time, hopefully they have had a successful breeding season and the coming winter won't be too harsh for them.
RSS Feed
