Trying not to be annoyed

A very quick car park field visit before a day out with the family and I was speechless to find 2 digi scopers 40-50 feet from the fence line frequented by the Redstarts.

I am always in two minds about whether I say anything and what I might say, feeling rather grumpy I said nothing to them directly.

My sentiments are clear, if the bird remains hidden you are too darn close and therefore preventing it from feeding AND depriving other bird watchers from seeing it.

If this happens again, which is highly likely I may not be so muted and despite it being a country park and for that reason folks can argue that they can stand where they want, sure you can stand anywhere, but where are you going to stand if I chose not to share my finds.

I expect it wasn't even people who are kind enough to read my blog, but if you do and see people doing this, please find a nice way of saying "stay back and put the birds welfare first", I really don't want to lose my cool and shout at people, but if I feel I have to I will.

During my brief 35 minute visit I had 2 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and Buzzard. I heard from Brian that all the Spotted Flycatchers had gone today.

Getting busy

It was after 09:00 before I got out today, I went to check on the Spotted Flycatchers and sure enough they were still there, except that now there were at least 5, another bird flitting back into the trees may have been one as well.

Over BSL were about 30 House Martin and 1 Swift, my first in ages.

Back to the car park field and I picked up plenty of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and a Garden Warbler, then 2 Redstart, one was either the same 1st winter male as Tuesday's, or a different one, the other bird was a stunning adult male. 

Steve texted to say Water Rail from Bittern hide, so we have now hit 100 species in August for the first time ever.

Then Steve and Richard appeared and stood with me in the car park, what may have been Spotted Flycatcher number 6 landed on the wires for a few moments before heading towards the sailing club compound.

Back for a photo

The rain finally stopped for an hour around 12:30, so I dashed out. Hobby flew over the car park field low West on arrival. A lone Common Tern flew South over BSL, but then flew back 2 minutes later.

At the compound 3 of the Spotted Flycatchers were on show, the fourth kept back in the undergrowth behind. After nearly 50 shots I got the following

There was a Willow Warbler in the same tree as them, for a few moments, then it was off for a quick walk around the car park field. Surprisingly no Redstart, or anything much. Beyond the landfill a Raven went West.

Not 1, but 4

The annual autumn Redstart created a nice sense of fun and friendly gathering in the car park field, but the other species I was hoping for was a Spotted Flycatcher. And sure enough Bert May had one mid afternoon somewhere along the tarmac path to the hide...not to be relocated by me with the 5 minutes I had free before family pickup time.

I passed Brian on the way out and he went on to look better than I could, not long after he called with 1 in the sailing club compound. Then a text shortly after saying 4!!!

I took the whole family back en route home, met with Brian, Marek and Trevor and saw all of them, 3 on the dead Elms, 1 on the bushed behind..... a lovely sight, sadly no chance for a record shot.

Looking back, the time has flown since the last big Spotted Flycatcher day, when 5, possibly 6 were seen on the 31st August 2010. I have seen 4 out of 5 of the last autumn birds, the latest being 27th Sept 2011, I hope quite a few more show up late into September this year. The latest confirmed sighting is 29th September 2000, although there is a mention of a possible in October 1980.

Autumn Redstart again

As soon as I was beyond the central scrub compound I could hear a Redstart and picked up what I first felt was an autumn adult male in the usual area along the barbed wire.

A few others arrived and it showed well on and off, but as I was about to leave someone said "there's two". Talk of a grey backed and better marked adult, ear covert markings, etc followed, but as often happens 2 were not seen at the same time. I remain uncertain if there was 2, or it was just light playing tricks on our eyes...we'll see.

This is the 4th August record, compared to 6 September ones since 2009.

Here are my rubbish record shots

As I was about to leave a Mistle Thrush dropped in, marking species 99 for August = highest along with 2013. If we can find a Water Rail and a Lesser Whitethroat we have a new high count for the month. Bonus waders and wildfowl would be brilliant too.

Ron also told me the Little Egret count has now reached 15.

Adding a wader...just

I was at LFGP hide with Marek before 06:30 and Green Sandpipers were calling from all corners, the total count was 8. 7 Little Egret swooped in, a Common Sandpiper zipped about.

We left at 07:00 and before we reached the green bridge, I heard Greenshank, but didn't even get time to get my bins on a group of 6 waders before they were lost behind trees...one was smaller, so who knows what was with them?

This addition puts me on 122 for the year and it was a good choice of morning to be out early.

Poised for a new August record species count

The last 2 year ticks for the park and the steady increases and additions all month have put August onto an equal 2nd place of all Augusts...at 97 species (made just last year) and with 99 being the record (in 2013) it seems very likely we will reach 100, or more.

Most likely candidates to come are;

Garganey - Lots of August records
Pintail - Frequent August records
Osprey - Frequent August records
Marsh Harrier - A number of August records
Water Rail - which may have already been heard
Dunlin - Numerous August records, although more early in the month
Ruff - 3 August records, 2 in recent years
Curlew - Numerous August records
Spotted Redshank - 6 August records
Wood Sandpiper - The weather we having now is good for this species
Tree Pipit - Always possible
Redstart - 3 out of previous 4 Augusts
Whinchat - Highly possible
Wheatear - Highly possible

There are plenty of wildcard possibilities too.

Keep them peeled guys and girls

With multiple Greenshank thru Farmoor this morning, I'd be happy to get call later today saying one is on LFGP.

Did I say the Black Tern appears to have gone today.