Lutley Birder

Lutley Wedge 10/02/12 10.10am (0°c ) Cold and overcast with low cloud. (sleet and light snow showers overnight) Wind (SE) F2

2012-02-10T17:32:00.026Z

Good numbers of Fieldfare around again including a flock of (125) heading west, but otherwise pretty quiet.
263 Fieldfare (135➝W) (33➝N/NW)
4 Redwing
70 Skylark
2 Siskin ➝SE
19 Yellowhammer

Lutley Wedge 06/02/12 10.30am (3°c ) Cold with mist and low cloud.

2012-02-06T16:56:00.055Z

A colour-ringed Peregrine flew over the Top Footpath hunting the large numbers of Wood Pigeon around at the moment, and was later seen perched near Foxcote Pond. A single Cormorant flew through heading WSW.
1 Peregrine
1 Cormorant ➝WSW
32 Redwing (24➝N) (4➝W/SW) (4➝S)
35 Fieldfare (21 in)
3 Meadow Pipit (in)
24 Siskin (22➝S/SE) (2➝NE)
2 Linnet
85 Skylark
400+ Wood Pigeon
2 Herring Gull

Peregrine and Cormorant 6/2/12

Lutley Wedge 05/02/12 11.15am (3°c ) Cold grey and misty, low cloud. 3" Snow overnight but thawing. Light (NW) breeze

2012-02-05T18:14:00.158Z

'Inland Wader-fest!'
The winter birding gods finally delivered the 'perfect storm' for the inland patch-watcher, with the forecast snow duly arriving overnight and dumping a good 2-3" of snow around the patch, and with snow cover extending across the Midlands and further to the east/northeast into the 'wader rich' areas of E.Yorks,Lincs and Norfolk.
There was a 'classic' hard weather movement of waders over the patch involving mainly Lapwing, but also two flocks of superb Golden Plover including a flock of (9) that flew very low in the misty conditions right overhead. A hunting Peregrine was seen again, as well as (2) large Swan sp (Mute/Whooper) which flew high to the northeast, sadly just too high and distant to conclusively i.d one way or other. A Common Gull that flew through heading west was another cold weather refugee and a good patch year-tick, and wintering Skylark numbers increased, again no doubt due to the weather.
22 Golden Plover (9➝W) (13➝N/NW)
239 Lapwing ➝W (28 in) (largest flocks 70, 55)
1 Common Gull ➝W
1 Herring Gull
2 Swan sp ➝NE
1 Peregrine
222 Fieldfare (105 in)
11 Redwing
1 Song Thrush ➝W
16 Starling ➝W
1 Redpoll sp ➝S
5 Siskin ➝S
40 Chaffinch
10 Yellowhammer
91 Skylark

Golden Plover 5/2/12

Common Gull a quality patch year tick! 5/2/12

Lutley Wedge 04/02/12 09.55am (-2°c ) V.Cold with hard frost (-7°c overnight) Overcast. Light breeze (S/SW) F1 (-6°c windchill)

2012-02-04T20:16:00.027Z

Another freezing day with snow forecast to move in from the NW later, A Peregrine was seen soaring high over Lutley brook carrying prey (probably the same as seen on 2/2) and the wintering flock of Skylarks along Top Footpath had increased to 70+.
1 Peregrine
188 Fieldfare (94➝W/SW) (33 in)
14 Redwing
70+ Skylark

Lutley Wedge 02/02/12 09.55am (-1°c ) V.Cold with hard frost (-3°c overnight) Overcast. Light (NE) breeze (-3°c windchill)

2012-02-02T16:42:00.118Z

Even colder today on the patch, and more hard weather bird movements. 6 Golden Plover flew through very high to the S/SW at 11.30am, and there was an obvious influx and W/SW movement of Fieldfare. (An arrival of Fieldfare was also seen at Holme, on the North Norfolk coast, 450 today). A Peregrine was seen circling over Lutley brook.

6 Golden Plover ➝S/SW

352 Fieldfare ➝W/SW (largest flocks 75, 60)

1 Peregrine (SLC)

13 Redwing

2 Raven ➝N

45 Skylark

Golden Plover 2/2/12

Lutley Wedge 01/02/12 3.10pm (2°c) (-3°c windchill) V.Cold, sunny, clear skies. Wind (E/NE) F3

2012-02-01T16:04:00.052Z

First signs of some hard weather escape movements, with freezing conditions on the continent and further east bringing a biting -3°c ENE windchill to the patch. A flock of 21 Lapwing flew through very high heading west followed by another 2 Lapwing also west.
23 Lapwing ➝W
546 Black-headed Gull ➝NE/E
7 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Fieldfare
3 Redwing
10 Yellowhammer

Lapwing 1/2/12

Lutley Wedge 28/01/12 3.00pm (4°c) Cold, bright, broken high cloud, NW breeze

2012-01-28T22:06:00.003Z

1,073 Black-headed Gull ➝NE/E
43 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Herring Gull
1 Siskin ➝S
3 Redwing

Lutley Wedge 15/01/12 3.30pm (3°c) Cold, frosty, clear skies, E/NE Breeze

2012-01-15T21:22:00.032Z

935 Black-headed Gull ➝E/NE
3 Herring Gull
6 Lesser Black-backed Gull
6 Redwing

37 Skylark

Black-headed Gulls 15/1/11

Herring Gull 15/1/11

Lutley Wedge 13/01/12 3.40pm (5°c) Cold, clear skies, Breeze NE F1 breeze.

2012-01-13T20:47:00.038Z

'Watching the flyway'
796 Black-headed Gull ➝E/NE
2 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Also seen:-
125 Redwing
1 Fieldfare
40 Skylark

Black-headed Gulls heading to winter roosts 13/1/12

Lutley Wedge 06/01/12 12.20pm (6°c) Cool and overcast

2012-01-06T22:48:00.002Z

11 Redwing
1 Marsh Tit
3 Siskin (Wassell Grove Pools)
1 Kingfisher (Wassell Grove Pools)

Lutley Wedge 01-02/01/12

2012-01-02T22:24:00.035Z

1/1/12 Lutley Wedge (10°c) Grey, overcast skies
32 Redwing
1 Marsh Tit
2 Goldcrest
12 Goldfinch
1 Herring Gull ➝S

2/1/12 12.00pm Lutley Wedge (5°c) Cold, sunny clear skies
Wassell Grove/Pools:-
1 Woodcock
45 Redwing
1 Redpoll sp
3 Siskin
1 Kingfisher
4 Meadow Pipit

Siskin 2/1/12

Lutley Wedge 28/12/12 12.00pm (7°c) Cool and breezy.

2011-12-28T19:53:00.010Z

'Red-listed local patch mega!'

(3) Marsh Tits Lutley Wedge (CR).

The first confirmed record of Marsh Tit at Lutley Wedge was as recently as 16/3/11, followed by (1) on 27/12/11 (both SLC).

Marsh Tit sadly has become a very rare species within the West Midlands, and is now a Category A description species with only a handful of records most years from the county. At a UK level the picture is not any better and it is on the Red-list as a species of conservation concern due to more than a 50% decline in numbers in the last 25 years. This makes the monitoring of this very small and surely vulnerable population of Marsh Tits 'clinging on' here at Lutley even more important in my view.

Marsh Tit 28/12/11 sound recordings/sonograms

Lutley Wedge 24/12/12 12.00pm (5°c) Cool and overcast.

2011-12-24T20:27:00.001Z

A Woodcock was at Wassell Grove Pools this afternoon, also 20+ Siskin and 1 Lesser Redpoll feeding in the Alders, 10 Fieldfare, 10+ Redwing and a Kingfisher.

Lutley Wedge 20/12/12 1.55pm (5°c) Cold, overcast.

2011-12-20T15:41:00.001Z

22 Siskin and 1 Lesser Redpoll were at Wassell Grove Pools, also 21 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare and a flock of 9 Bullfinch. 5 Redwing around Grange Farm and a flock of 27 Skylarks over the Top Footpath.

Lutley Wedge 02/12/11 12.30pm (4°c) Overcast with occasional bright spells.

2011-12-02T22:23:00.007Z

'Over-winterers settle in'

Wassell Grove Pools:-

130+ Redwing

5+ Fieldfare

40+ Siskin

1 Redpoll sp

10 Goldfinch

1 Goldcrest

♂ Siskin 2/12/11

Titterstone Clee Hill, Shropshire 28/11/11

2011-11-28T17:37:00.000Z

Majorly 'off patch' today, and a visit to pay homage to the superb ♀ Desert Wheatear on Titterstone Clee Hill, the first for Shropshire.

Desert Wheatear habitat! Titterstone Clee Hill (The bird was favouring the particularly grim area towards the bottom right of the photo)

♀ Desert Wheatear 28/11/11

Lutley Wedge 18/11/11 1.30pm (13°c) Mild and cloudy. Wind (S) F3

2011-11-18T21:14:00.017Z

'Mid-November, winter doldrums'

Other than reasonable numbers of Redwing it was pretty quiet during a quick check of Wassell Grove Pools this afternoon, which is perhaps not surprising given the current incredibly mild weather and late November date.

60+ Redwing

1 Siskin

2 Goldcrest

Siskin 18/11/11

Lutley Wedge 29/10/11 08.00am (7°c) Cool, cloudy. Wind increasing (S) F2/3

2011-10-29T21:51:00.000+01:00

'Migration status quo'

Visible Migration:-

1 Brambling

101 Fieldfare (87➝S/SW) (1➝W) (13 in)

85 Redwing (64➝S/SW) (21➝W/SW)

14 Siskin (12➝S)

2 Redpoll sp (1➝N) (1➝S)

14 Chaffinch➝W

107 Starling➝W

716 Wood Pigeon➝S/SW

1 Cormorant➝S/SE

1 Raven ➝NW

Fieldfare and Cormorant 29/10/11

Lutley Wedge 26/10/11 08.00am (5°c) Cool, clear skies and patchy high cloud (S/SE) F2

2011-10-26T23:14:00.003+01:00

'The late late show!'

(1) House Martin flew over the Top Footpath/Grange Farm (a new latest date for Lutley Wedge, the previous latest date was way back on 23/10/2006). Thrush numbers were down but there was a notable movement of Meadow Pipit, with (38) heading South, a good count for late October.

Visible migration:-

1 House Martin➝S/SE

46 Meadow Pipit (38➝S)

49 Redwing (45➝S/SW) (4➝E)

29 Fieldfare (25➝S/SW) (4➝SE)

4 Song Thrush (2➝W/SW) (2 in)

5 alba Wagtail➝S

129 Starling➝W/SW

2 Bullfinch➝S

3 Siskin (2➝S/SE)

10 Redpoll sp➝S/SE

House Martin 26/10/11

(The latest date for House Martin at Lutley Wedge in 16 years of recording!)

Redwing and Meadow Pipit 26/10/11

Lutley Wedge 24/10/11 07.55am (12°c) Cloudy and windy (SE) F3/4

2011-10-24T20:31:00.039+01:00

'Starlings Surge'

A virtually finch free morning in a strong SE wind other than a few Siskin and Redpoll moving though Woodpig's ploughed on regardless, most contouring low and S/SW and there was a slight upturn in numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare moving. Starlings were the big movers however with packs flying through from first light heading through low across the wind followed by some large high flocks later coming in from the E/NE.

Visible Migration:-

1,045 Starling ➝W (largest flock 180)

173 Redwing (141➝S/SW) (largest flock 26)

88 Fieldfare (77➝S/SW) (10➝W) (1 in) (largest flock 38)

518 Wood Pigeon➝S/SW

7 Siskin (6➝SW) (1➝W)

5 Redpoll sp➝S

3 alba Wagtail➝S

A fiery rise into obscurity! 24/10/11

Redwing 24/10/11

Early Starling 'packs' low, to a high wave of Sturnus! 24/10/11

Lutley Wedge 21/10/11 07.50am (8°c) Cool, cloudy overcast. Wind (SW) F2/3

2011-10-21T23:11:00.000+01:00

A Rock Pipit flew over heading West at 11.00am (the first record at Lutley Wedge), otherwise it was fairly quiet but with a trickle of Chaffinches flying over throughout, and including at least one Brambling heard early on. Cormorants were the other notable mover today with 5 flying through, along with a single Common Gull.

Visible Migration :-

1 Rock Pipit ➝W

103 Redwing (49➝S/SW) (5➝SE) (31➝W) (16➝N/NW)

25 Fieldfare(9➝W/SW) (16➝S)

1 Brambling➝W

133 Chaffinch➝W

9 Siskin (4➝S/SE) (2➝E) (3➝N)

14 Meadow Pipit (8➝W/SW) (6 in)

2 alba Wagtail➝S (+25 Pied Wagtail in horse paddocks)

36 Goldfinch (28➝S)

31 Starling➝W (+125 Grange Barns)

1 Common Gull➝SW

1 Herring Gull➝NW

5 Cormorant➝N/NE

Skies on fire! A stunning sunrise this morning 21/10/11

Fieldfare, Redwing and carbo's! 21/10/11

Lutley Wedge 16/10/11 07.30am-11.30am (11°c) Cool, cloudy with patchy low cloud and light rain/drizzle Wind (SW) F2/3

2011-10-16T23:17:00.001+01:00

With the wind switching around to the SW and the bird rich easterlies disappearing as quickly as they arrived, it was a much quieter day today. Vis mig was not helped by low cloud closing in rapidly this morning followed by patchy light rain and drizzle. Migrant Thrush numbers are seemingly falling rapidly as migration tails off though 4 Brambling were seen with a ♂ dropping in along the Top Footpath, and another ♀/1st winter in a garden along Lutley Brook (P.Clement), 2 Common Snipe flew high West at 10.45am.

Visible Migration:-

2 Common Snipe➝W

4 Brambling (1➝W) (1➝N) (2 in)

357 Redwing (247➝S/SW) (77➝W) (4➝N) (9➝E/NE) (20 in)

61 Fieldfare (27➝S/SW) (7➝W) (2➝E) (25 in)

9 Song Thrush (6➝S/SW) (1➝W) (2➝W in)

3 Blackbird➝W/SW

9 Thrush sp➝SW

14 Meadow Pipit (7➝S/SW) (7 in)

26 alba Wagtail (19➝S) (1➝W) (6 in)

100 Starling➝W

3 Redpoll sp (2➝SW)

11 Siskin (5➝S/SW) (4➝N) (1➝E) (1 in)

25 Goldfinch➝S

31 Chaffinch➝W

1 Red Admiral➝E/SE

First light 16/10/11

A brilliant sunrise through the fractus and the first 'Woodpigs' and Starling packs on the move.

Song Thrush 'dropping out' 16/10/11

Lutley Wedge 14/10/11 07.20am-11.50am (12°c) Cool, grey and overcast skies (clearing to the W/NW later). Wind (E/SE) F2/3

2011-10-14T19:14:00.116+01:00

After yesterdays big Thrush arrival, there were signs of heavy nocturnal migration last night with many calls of Redwing and also Song Thrush heard. On the patch Redwing and Fieldfare were moving through in numbers again this morning and also a few continental Blackbird and Song Thrush, the first Brambling this autumn flew over and there was some Westerly Starling and Skylark passage. A single Goosander flew through very high to the East at 08.10am and a couple of late Swallow were seen heading South.

Visible Migration:-

1 Goosander ➝E/SE

1 Lapwing ➝SW

2 Swallow ➝S

790 Redwing ➝S/SW (largest flocks of 40)

610 Fieldfare ➝S/SW (largest flocks 82, 85)

18 Song Thrush (16➝S/SW) (2➝SE)

4 Blackbird (3➝S) (1 in)

5 Brambling (2➝NW) (1➝W) (2 heard)

15 Chaffinch ➝W

21 Redpoll sp (7➝W) (8➝S/SE) (2➝N) (1➝E) (3 in)

15 Siskin (14➝S/SE) (1➝N)

14 Goldfinch ➝S

264 Starling➝W/SW

15 Meadow Pipit (10 in) (3➝E) (2➝SW)

16 alba Wagtail ➝S

40 Skylark ➝W/SW

Dawn and a fiery sunrise under heavily overcast skies 14/10/11

High level 'Goose' heading East 14/10/11

High and low level 'Thrushage' 14/10/11

Some of the masses today! Fieldfare and Song Thrush 14/10/11

Lutley Wedge 13/10/11 07.00am-12.00pm (13°c) Mild, broken cloud overhead but surrounding low cloud.. Wind (E/SE) F1/2

2011-10-13T22:37:00.002+01:00

For days the forecast/weather charts had looked epic, especially after a seemingly endless run this autumn of low pressure and Westerlies. A high pressure system finally moved East into Scandanavia and the Continent overnight, and today the Easterlies duly delivered.

There was a big arrival of Thrushes with a lot of flocks coming through very high in the still conditions and as the cloud base lifted, (14) Crossbill, and the first Snipe and Stonechat on the patch this Autumn. A good arrival but Thrushes were perhaps not in the hoped for numbers, possibly due to the fact that even though there was a window of broken skies overhead first thing, the surrounding low cloud, poor vis and general 'clag' seemed to supress a lot of migration further out early on.

As it warmed up and the cloud lifted a couple of Red Admiral were also seen actively migrating with one picked out circling up to a hundred feet or so before heading off SW, the other more typically tazzing through SW at knee top level! (N.b 3 Red Admiral also seen heading SW at Black Bank, Staffs today)

Visible Migration :-

1 Common Snipe ➝W (then dropped in)

1♂ Stonechat

14 Crossbill ➝S

560 Redwing ➝S/SW

250 Fieldfare ➝S/SW

6 Song Thrush (2➝N) (1➝SW) (1➝E) (2 in)

41 Meadow Pipit (36➝S/SW)

22 alba Wagtail ➝S/SW

9 Swallow ➝S

20 Siskin (8➝N) (11➝S/SW/SE)

6 Goldfinch ➝S

1 Redpoll sp ➝E

7 Bullfinch (5➝SE) (2➝N)

1 Raven ➝E/SE

1 Grey Heron ➝SW

3 Herring Gull (2➝W) (1➝N)

2 Red Admiral ➝SW

Pre-dawn, first light and broken skies above, but surrounding ominous clag!

13/10/11 Some of today's visible migrants, Redwing, Fieldfare, Siskin and Red Admiral!

Stonechat 13/10/11

Lutley Wedge 03/10/11 07.20am-09.50am (16°c) Mild and overcast. Wind (S/SW) F2/3

2011-10-03T12:26:00.010+01:00

Meadow Pipits and alba Wagtails were again the main movers this morning. Siskin numbers have dropped off dramatically in the last few days, but there were the first signs of some East➝West Chaffinch passage with small numbers flying through high.
Visible migration:-
1 Swallow ➝S
214 Meadow Pipit ➝S/SW largest flocks of (20) (14) (11) (10)+(10)
53 alba Wagtails ➝S largest flock of (12)+(10)
3 Song Thrush (1 in)
5 Siskin (3➝S/SW) (2➝W)
47 Goldfinch (28➝S)
15 Chaffinch ➝W
35 Canada Geese (20➝SE) (15➝W)

'The sweet sound of vis mig!' Meadow Pipit (flight call and sonogram) 3/10/11

Lutley Wedge 02/10/11 07.20am-10.20am (15°c) Warm and sunny, patchy high cloud. Wind (S/SW) F1-3

2011-10-02T18:22:00.014+01:00

A juvenile Peregrine flew through heading West at 10.10am (the first this autumn). Again vis mig was pretty slow first thing other than a trickle of mainly alba Wagtails going over, however a pulse of Mipits got going from about 8.40am, with most groups passing very high overhead into the light headwind.

Visible Migration:-

1 Peregrine ➝W

184 Meadow Pipit ➝S (including flocks of 17, 15, 12 and 10)

46 alba Wagtail ➝S

18 Swallow ➝S

7 Siskin ➝S

4 Redpoll (3➝SW) (1➝SE)

49 Goldfinch ➝S

1 Reed Bunting ➝W

4 Canada Geese ➝W

1 Chiffchaff

Lutley Wedge 01/10/11 07.20am-10.00am (14°c/27°c) Warm and sunny, patchy high cloud. Wind (NE/SSE) F1-2

2011-10-01T20:53:00.000+01:00

Visible migration:-

81 Meadow Pipit ➝S/SW

48 alba Wagtail ➝S

11 Swallow ➝S

17 House Martin ➝S

12 Siskin (10➝S) (2 in)

25 Goldfinch ➝S

6 Chaffinch (3➝S) (3➝W)

1 Reed Bunting ➝W

2 Song Thrush ➝W/SW (in)

2 Chiffchaff

2 Red Admiral ➝S/SW

Sunrise, high cloud and contrails looking East 1/10/11

Mipits, alba's and Swallows 1/10/11

Lutley Wedge 28/09/11 07.20am (13°c/26°c) Warm, sunny clear skies. Wind (S/SE) F1-3

2011-09-28T21:45:00.001+01:00

Tough conditions for viewing any vis mig this morning due to the current high pressure and gin-clear skies. Most passage was occurring very high, and i probably missed more than i saw. Alba wagtails and Mipits were again on the move in reasonable numbers, but often visible as just dots overhead and the first Reed Buntings of the autumn flew through.

Visible migration :-

200 Meadow pipit ➝S/SW

45 alba Wagtail ➝S/SW/SE

114 Swallow ➝S/SW

62 House Martin ➝S/SW

1 Song Thrush (in)

20 Siskin (19➝S/SW) (1➝E)

3 Redpoll sp (1➝S)

2 Reed Bunting ➝W

1 Raven

5 Chiffchaff

3 Blackcap

2 Red Admiral

Lutley Wedge 26/09/11 07.15am (12°c) Cloudy/overcast (Warm & sunny/patchy cloud later am) Wind (S/SW) F2

2011-09-26T22:15:00.000+01:00

After a very slow start first thing, Meadow Pipits got moving in good numbers from late morning with a constant passage of birds going through until at least early afternoon. A Wheatear 'dropped out' into the ploughed field at Grange Barns at 09.00am and a Spotted Flycatcher was in the hedgerow at Foxcote Pond (a new latest date at Lutley). Whilst watching the Flycatcher a flock of (7) Crossbill flew over, and there was an noticeable increase in Siskin moving.

Visible Migration:-

1 Spotted Flycatcher

1 Wheatear

7 Crossbill ➝S/SW

382 Meadow Pipit ➝S/SW

113 Swallow ➝S/SW

3 Chiffchaff

6 alba Wagtail ➝S/SW

71 Siskin (54➝S/SW) (14➝N)

7 Redpoll sp (6➝SW) (1➝SE)

21 Goldfinch ➝N

2 Cormorant ➝S

3 Grey Heron ➝W/SW

2 Raven ➝S

4 Red Admiral (1➝SW)

Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear 26/9/11

Siskin and Meadow Pipits 26/9/11

Lutley Wedge 24/09/11 07.15am (11°c) Cloudy, overcast with patchy low cloud. Wind (S) F2/3

2011-09-24T21:11:00.001+01:00

The patchy low cloud and overcast conditions first thing, combined with a stiff Southerly wind definitely suppressed a lot of migration with much smaller numbers of Mipits struggling through than yesterday. The numbers of Siskin moving increased though with the largest flock so far this autumn (13) flying through.

Visible Migration:-

123 Meadow Pipit ➝S/SW

75 Swallow ➝S/SW

33 House Martin ➝S/SW

17 alba Wagtail ➝S/SW

1 Grey Wagtail ➝W

25 Siskin (23➝S/SW) (2➝E)

1 Redpoll sp ➝N

11 Chaffinch ➝S/SW

1 Raven ➝NE

Swalllows 24/9/11

Lutley Wedge 23/09/11 07.15am (9°c) Cloudy (SW) F3

2011-09-23T22:44:00.000+01:00

A surge of Meadow Pipits today with a constant passage of small flocks from first light finally tailing off late morning. At least (561) flew through to the S/SW in 3.5 hours this morning, the 2nd highest ever day count at Lutley Wedge since (620) on 16/9/10. Also the first Golden Plover this autumn flew over at 08.18am heading SW.

Visible migration :-

1 Golden Plover ➝SW

561 Meadow Pipit ➝S/W

51 Swallow ➝S

102 House Martin ➝S/SW

5 Redpoll sp ➝S

7 Siskin (4➝S) (2➝N) (1➝W)

3 Goldfinch ➝S

8 alba Wagtail (6➝S/SE)

1 Herring Gull ➝W

also:-

3 Chiffchaff

1 Blackcap

1 Goldcrest

Some of the 100's! 'Mipit montage' and Golden Plover 23/9/11

Lutley Wedge 22/09/11 07.00am (9°c) Cool & sunny, clear skies/patchy cloud (W/SW) breeze F2/3

2011-09-22T22:11:00.001+01:00

A steady movement of Meadow Pipits, House Martins and Swallows from first light, and (1) Wheatear 'dropped out' onto the power line above my 'vis mig' watchpoint at 08.10am.

Visible Migration:-

1 Wheatear (in)

128+ Meadow Pipit (117➝S/SW) (11+ in)

65 House Martin ➝S/SW

36+ Swallow ➝S/SW

5+ alba Wagtail ➝SE/S/SW

6 Siskin (4➝SE)

24 Goldfinch ➝S

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker ➝SSW

3+ Chiffchaff

1 Blackcap

Meadow Pipit 22/9/11

Wheatear 22/9/11

Lutley Wedge 01/09/11 07.15am (9°c) Sunny, clear skies. Still at first then E/SE F1/2

2011-09-02T00:03:00.000+01:00

2 Hobbies were seen along with a single Tree Pipit that flew over late morning, also at least 2 Yellow Wagtails flew over and several late Swift.

2 Hobby (1➝E) (1 over Wassell Grove Pools)

1 Tree Pipit ➝SSE

2 Yellow Wagtail

2 Meadow pipit (1➝SW)

10+ Swift

42+ House Martin

17+ Swallow

2 Common Whitethroat

3+ Blackcap

1 Chiffchaff

1 Red Admiral ➝SW

Hobby Wassell Grove Pools 1/9/11

Swift and Tree Pipit 1/9/11

Lutley Wedge 29/08/11 07.30am (10°c) Cool cloudy and overcast. Wind (W) F3

2011-08-29T14:03:00.000+01:00

Pretty uninspiring this morning in the decidedly cool and breezy conditions, however there was still some limited 'vis mig' on offer. A single Yellow Wagtail flew over along with a few late Swifts, and a short lived pulse of House Martins in three flocks went purposefully South from around 0800am.

1 Yellow Wagtail ➝E

2 alba Wagtail ➝SW

6 Meadow Pipit (3➝W) (2➝NE)

8 Swift (4➝SW) (3➝WSW) (1➝N)

46 House Martin ➝S

4 Swallow (1➝S) (1➝W)

6 Goldfinch ➝S

Swift and House Martins 29/8/11

Lutley Wedge 28/08/11 10.15am (15°c) Warm, sunny spells/scattered cloud. Breezy (W/NW) F3

2011-08-28T20:54:00.100+01:00

(2) Wheatears (1 adult ♂, 1♀/1st winter) were in horse paddocks along Top Footpath. (SLC/CR). The ♂ Wheatear was interesting as it is the first adult ♂ i have recorded on autumn passage through Lutley Wedge, with all previous autumn records being of ♀/1st winter birds)

Adult ♂ autumn Wheatear 28/8/11

(Still showing vestiges of spring plumage, though with new pale-fringed primary/secondary flight feathers and tertials after post breeding moult)

♀/1st winter Wheatear 28/8/11

♂ Wheatear 28/8/11

Lutley Wedge 27/08/11 07.40am Sunny spells + broken high cloud (clouding over with heavy showers later am) Wind (W) F1/2

2011-08-27T19:35:00.001+01:00

(6) Common/Arctic Terns flew over heading West at 08.55am, though sadly they were just too far away and views were just too brief for them to go down as anything other than 'Commic' Terns. This is only the 2nd ever record of any Tern species at Lutley Wedge, with the only other record of a single Common Tern from May 2004!

Also seen:-

3 Meadow Pipit (2➝E) (1 in)

1 alba Wagtail ➝S

6 Swifts

33 House Martin

18 Swallow (13➝W)

1 Willow Warbler

2 Chiffchaff

1 Lesser Whitethroat

4 Common Whitethroat

3 Blackcap

Meadow Pipit and Willow Warbler 27/8/11

Lutley Wedge 25/08/11 09.40am Sunny, patchy cloud. Wind (SW) F1

2011-08-25T22:40:00.002+01:00

Yellow Wagtail passage continues with another 2 flying through this morning, and a single Hobby was seen.
2 Yellow Wagtail➝W/SW (S.L.Clement)
1 Hobby➝NE (SLC/CR)
5 Swift➝S/SW
18 Swallow (7➝W/SW)
29 House Martin (9➝S)
5 Common Whitethroat
4 Blackcap
1 Chiffchaff

Lutley Wedge 24/08/11 07.30am Sunny, clear skies and patchy high cloud. Wind (SW) F1/2

2011-08-24T21:26:00.007+01:00

(3) Yellow Wagtails flew over and the first Meadow Pipit this autumn headed Southwest, no doubt the first of many! Cormorants continued to move with (4) going over.

3 Yellow Wagtail (2➝W/SW) (1 in then ➝W)

1 Meadow Pipit ➝SW

4 Swift

36 House Martin (20➝W)

27 Swallow (13➝S/SW) (8➝E/SE)

1 Lesser Whitethroat

6 Common Whitethroat

2 Blackcap

2 Chiffchaff

4 Cormorant

1 Red Admiral ➝S

Yellow Wagtail 24/8/11

House Martin 24/8/11

Lutley Wedge 23/08/11 11.40am Warm, sunny spells and scattered cloud. Breezy (E/NE) F2

2011-08-23T20:34:00.005+01:00

Another day, and another Wheatear in the horse paddocks along the Top Footpath along with (3) Yellow Wagtails.

1 Wheatear

3 Yellow Wagtail

3 Swift

1 Chiffchaff

60+ House Martin

70+ Linnet

1 Raven

Wheatear 23/8/11

Swift 23/8/11

(This is quite possibly the same tail-less Swift seen some 3 weeks ago (see 2/8/11) now looking even more bizarre as it grows in new replacement tail feathers!)

Lutley Wedge 22/08/11 07.15am (10°c) Sunny, patchy high cloud. Still

2011-08-22T15:04:00.158+01:00

A Wheatear was perched on the power line near Grange Barns late morning, and was almost caught by a hunting Hobby! Luckily the Wheatear managed to escape the Hobby by diving for cover under my parked car! (2) Tree Pipits and (3) Yellow Wagtails flew over and a flock of (80) House Martin, (1) Sand Martin and (18+) Swallows were 'sunning' on the roof of Grange farm. Also of note (8) Common Buzzards were soaring together, high over the Top Footpath.
1 Hobby ➝E
1 Wheatear
2 Tree Pipit ➝SW
3 Yellow Wagtail (1➝SW) (2 in then ➝W/SW)
11 Swift (3➝W/SW)
25 Swallow (4➝W/SW)
1 Sand Martin
80 House Martin
7 Cormorant (5➝E/NE) (2➝W/NW)
1 Raven ➝N

Wheatear 22/8/11 (shortly before..and after it's brush with death!)

Yellow Wagtail Lutley Wedge 22/8/11 (sonogram/sound recording of flight call)

Lutley Wedge 21/08/11 07.00am (15°c) Broken high cloud. Light (S) Breeze F1

2011-08-21T22:18:00.002+01:00

A superb first for Lutley Wedge this morning. At 0815am I picked out the flight calls of (2) Knot as they flew in from the E/SE, flying directly overhead and over the Top Footpath heading off to the NW/W.

Knot has always been rare passage wader inland away from Staffordshire which gets the lions share of most Midland records, and is classed as an 'uncommon passage migrant' according to the 'New Birds of the West Midlands' Harrison 2005. In West Midland county terms however it is even scarcer with the West Midlands only accounting for a paltry 2% of all records and even Worcestershire only accounting for some 8%!

(I have included an example of Knot flight call from Flasterbo Sweden in September, from the excellent xeno-canto site below).

The first Wheatear this autumn was in horse paddocks along the Top Footpath late morning along with 1 Yellow Wagtail with another Yellow Wagtail flying through heading West, and a single Tree Pipit flew over.

Visible Migration/migrant totals:-

2 Knot➝ NW/W

1 Wheatear

2 Yellow Wagtail (1➝W) (1 in then➝E/NE)

1 Tree Pipit ➝SW

4 Sand Martin (2➝W) (1➝W/NW) (1➝S/SE)

45 House Martin (7➝SSE) (3➝E)

17 Swallow (10➝W/NW)

7 Swift (1➝S/SW)

1 Lesser Whitethroat

8+ Common Whitethroat

1 Blackcap

Knot heading W/NW Lutley Wedge 21/8/11

Lesser Whitethroat 21/8/11

Lutley Wedge 20/08/11 07.15am (14°c) Overcast with occasional sunny spells, light rain showers later. Wind (S/SW) F3

2011-08-20T19:14:00.007+01:00

Good numbers of Sand Martin and House Martin were moving through to the South early doors and a single Tree Pipit flew over, but that aside it proved to be pretty quiet migration wise this morning.
1 Tree Pipit ➝SW ('dropped out' into the rape field by Grange Barns as a rain shower moved in)
15+ Sand Martin ➝S
93 House Martin (51➝S) (17➝W)
37 Swallow (11➝S/SW)
13 Swift (10➝SW)
2 Blackcap
2 Common Whitethroat
1 Chiffchaff

Tree Pipit 20/8/11

Lutley Wedge 19/08/11 07.10am (9°c) Sunny, patchy high cloud. Clouding over from (W/SW) later am. Still

2011-08-19T18:45:00.004+01:00

(6) Crossbill went over heading South at 0815am and (3) Tree Pipit and (1) Yellow Wagtail flew through. A ♀/1st winter Redstart was in the hedgerow at Foxcote Pond, and a Hobby that flew over Grange Farm almost caught one of three 'lumbering' Bullfinch that had the misfortune to be flying over!

6 Crossbill ➝ S

1 Hobby ➝E

1 Redstart

3 Tree Pipit ➝ S

1 Yellow Wagtail ➝W

2 Sand Martin ➝ NW

39 House Martin ➝W/NW

10 Swallow

16 Swift

3 Willow Warbler

3 Chiffchaff

8 Common Whitethroat

4 Blackcap

2 Raven ➝E

2 Cormorant ➝WSW

Crossbill Lutley Wedge 19/8/11

Hobby, Willow Warbler and Cormorants 19/8/11

Lutley Wedge 18/08/11 07.00am (10°c) Overcast with high cloud. Wind Light VAR (N/NE) F1

2011-08-18T21:51:00.087+01:00

More visible migration this morning and more typical mid August fare with a trickle of Yellow Wagtails and Tree Pipits flying over in the still conditions. The only noticeable grounded migrant was a Willow Warbler that dropped in briefly at my vis mig watchpoint along Top Footpath, before quickly moving on. (2) Hobbies flew East over Grange Barns followed by another Hobby later on over Wassell Grove Pools, that flew NE towards Grange Farm.

3 Hobby (2➝E) (1➝E/NE)

2 Tree Pipit ➝S/SW

3 Yellow Wagtail➝SW

1 Willow Warbler

2 Chiffchaff

4 Common Whitethroat

3 Blackcap

21 House Martin (20➝E) (1➝SW)

1 Swallow ➝S

1 Grey Heron➝N

Willow Warbler Lutley Wedge 18/8/11

Willow Warbler (call and sonogram) Lutley Wedge 18/8/11

Lutley Wedge 17/08/11 07.10am (10°c) Broken high cloud 6/8. Still (NW) F1

2011-08-17T21:44:00.012+01:00

The first Tree Pipit of the autumn flew over and two flocks of 3 and 4 Cormorants flew through high to the SE and NW.

7 Cormorant (3➝SE) (4➝NW)

1 Tree Pipit ➝S

1 Sand Martin

47 House Martin

6 Swallow

5 Swift

1 alba Wagtail ➝S

3 Chiffchaff

4 Common Whitethroat

1 Blackcap

'Cormorants on the move' 17/8/11

Lutley Wedge 16/08/11 07.30am (13°c) Cloudy and breezy. (S/SW) F3

2011-08-16T21:17:00.001+01:00

Very quiet today, with a fly over Reed Bunting heading East and a scattering of late-ish Swifts the only things of note.

13 Swift (1 ➝WSW) (7➝SSW)

68 House Martin (41➝W/SW)

6 Swallow

1 Reed Bunting ➝E

Lutley Wedge 15/08/11 07.30am (12°c) Sunny with patchy broken cloud. (SW/W) breeze F2

2011-08-15T22:18:00.001+01:00

Some visible migration this morning with (3) Yellow Wagtails and (2) Sand Martin going over, whilst other highlights included a Hobby hunting over Wassell Grove Pools/ Grange Farm and a single Lesser Whitethroat. ('Lesserthroats' have been particularly scarce so far this autumn on the loacl patch).

1 Hobby ➝E/NE

3 Yellow Wagtail ➝E/SE

2 Sand Martin (1➝N) (1➝WSW)

2 House Martin

14 Swallow (3➝S/SW)

7 Swift (3➝WSW)

1 Song Thrush ➝SSE

1 Lesser Whitethroat

8 Common Whitethroat

5 Blackcap

5 Chiffchaff

50+ Goldfinch (Wassell Grove Pools)

Common Whitethroat 15/8/11

Lutley Wedge 02/08/11 07.40am (17°c) Warm, cloudy/overcast. Light (SW/W) breeze F1

2011-08-02T22:15:00.006+01:00

(4) Ravens flew over high to the Southeast, and a flock of (100+) Linnets were near Grange Farm/Top Footpath.

Migrant totals:-

4 Raven ➝SE

1 Grey Heron ➝E

31 Swift (4➝SSW)

65 House Martin

7 Swallow (5➝SW)

4 Common Whitethroat

1 Chiffchaff

Tail-less Swift 2/8/11

(Just how an adult Swift loses all it's tail feathers i'm not exactly sure!)

Lutley Wedge 31/07/11 07.20am (16°c) Bright with broken cloud. Light (S) breeze F1/2

2011-07-31T22:12:00.064+01:00

The excellent run of Hobby sightings on the local patch this autumn continued today, with 2 Hobbies together around Foxcote Pond this morning. A flock of (80+) Linnet were at Grange Barns/Farm.

Migrant Totals:-

2 Hobby (1➝WSW) (1➝E)

1 Siskin ➝N

76 Swift

6 Swallow

29 House Martin

1 Willow Warbler

3 Chiffchaff

4 Common Whitethroat

1 Blackcap

1 Red Admiral

Hobby 31/7/11

Lutley Wedge 29/07/11 07.10am (14°c) Cool cloudy and overcast. Wind (E/NE) F2

2011-07-29T22:08:00.002+01:00

Very much the highlight in patch terms today and a welcome patch year tick were (2) Mute Swans that flew in high over the Top Footpath at 09.45am heading North. Mute Swan is a 'rare passage visitor' at Lutley Wedge with only a handful of previous records! Other oddities on the move this morning included (6) Cormorant that flew in from the WNW and headed off to the SSW.

Vis Mig/Migrant totals:-

2 Mute Swan ➝N

6 Cormorant ➝SSW

1 Hobby (hunting around Grange Farm/Foxcote Pond)

26 Swift

37 House Martin

19+ Swallow

1 Willow Warbler

9 Chiffchaff

1 Common Whitethroat

Mute Swan and Cormorants 29/7/11

Lutley Wedge 26/07/11 12.10pm (20°c) Warm, sunny spells + broken cloud light NNW Breeze

2011-07-26T22:31:00.000+01:00

'Subbuteo's and Swiftage!'

At least (130) Swifts and (26) Swallows were feeding low over the fields around Grange Farm/Foxcote Pond, and attracted the attentions of (2) hunting Hobbies that flew over at 12.19pm and 2.35pm.

Migrant totals:-

(2) Hobby ➝E

(130+) Common Swift

(26+) Swallow

(2+) House Martin

(1) Willow Warbler

(6) Chiffchaff

(3) Common Whitethroat

(1) Blackcap

Swifts and Hobby Lutley Wedge 26/7/11

Lutley Wedge 20/07/11 12.30pm (18°c) Warm cloudy and overcast, light ENE Breeze

2011-07-20T22:08:00.000+01:00

Finally a few signs that things are starting to move today. A superb Hobby flew over hunting Hirundines and Swifts at Wassell Grove Pools, and was mobbed by Swallows before heading off ➝NNE, also a Sedge Warbler in the hedgerows near Foxcote Pond.

Also seen :-

70+ Common Swift

20+ Swallow

20+ House Martin

11 Common Whitethroat

2 Blackcap

6 Chiffchaff

22 Linnet

2 Red Admiral

Hobby 20/7/11

Signs of successful breeding (Juv Common Whitethroat and Blackcap)

20/7/11

Lutley Wedge 01/07/11 12.00pm (20°c) Warm, sunny spells and broken cloud.

2011-07-01T21:38:00.000+01:00

The ♂ Reed Warbler seemed finally to have moved on as there was no sign of it today. A flock of (60+) Swifts were feeding 'en masse' very low over the fields along the Top Footpath near Grange Farm, with many of the Swifts showing obvious white/bulging throat pouches, due to the 'bolus' of aerial insects they were carrying.

Swifts Lutley Wedge 1/7/11

Lutley Wedge 27/06/11 12.00pm (30°c) Hot, humid and cloudy

2011-06-27T22:02:00.081+01:00

The ♂ Reed Warbler was still singing on territory today along with a ♂ Sedge Warbler.
According to the BTO 'Migration Atlas' 2002 although Reed Warblers arrive back in southern Britain from mid April the spring migration is protracted and some do not leave Africa until early June, these late birds are unlikely to return to breeding grounds in western Europe until mid-June (Dowsett -Lemaire & Dowsett 1987). This possibly explains the June arrivals of Reed Warbler here on the patch in the last two years.

Reed Warbler 27/6/11

Reed Warbler Lutley Wedge 27/6/11

Lutley Wedge 26/06/11 12.00pm (27°c) Hot, sunny with some scattered cloud

2011-06-26T19:04:00.000+01:00

The mid-summer patch birding 'doldrums' were livened up today with the discovery of a ♂ Reed Warbler singing this afternoon, and a welcome patch year tick. This is only the 6th record of this scarce migrant on the local patch, and was singing from exactly the same spot as a ♂ i found last year on the 16/6/10. Quite possibly the same un-paired bird returning again to set up territory.

Also seen:-

(12+) Common Swift

(4) Swallow

House Martin

(1)Chiffchaff

(2) Blackcap

(2) Common Whitethroat

♂ Reed Warbler 26/6/11

Lutley Wedge 31/05/11 1.00pm Sunny/scattered cloud

2011-05-31T16:43:00.001+01:00

(1) Spotted Flycatcher at Wassell Grove Pools this afternoon, the first this spring. Also:-
(1) Sedge Warbler
(1) Garden Warbler
(2) Blackcap
(3+) Chiffchaff
(1) Common Whitethroat
(3) Swallow
(2) House Martin
(1) Swift

Lutley Wedge 06/05/11 (12°c) Bright with broken high cloud. Breezy (S) F2/3

2011-05-06T22:10:00.000+01:00

With the wind finally switching around to the South and some cloud cover this morning a few migrants were grounded. A superb ♂ Whinchat was along the track to Wassell Grove Pools briefly first thing (the 3rd this spring), before flying over to the nearby horse paddocks, where it joined a ♀ Wheatear in the same field. Also 3 Yellow Wagtails flew over and a another Sedge Warbler and Garden Warbler were all new in overnight.

1 Whinchat

1 Wheatear

3 Yellow Wagtail

2 Sedge Warbler

2 Garden warbler

1 Lesser Whitethroat

7+ Common Whitethroat

11+ Swift

♂ Whinchat Lutley Wedge 6/5/11

Lutley Wedge 05/05/11 (19°c) Bright, sunny breezy. (SE) F2

2011-05-05T21:23:00.000+01:00

A Yellow Wagtail flew over the Top Footpath this morning (SLC), and a vis mig oddity late this afternoon a single Cormorant that flew in from the SE and circled over Wassell Grove Pools gaining height before heading off very high to the North. There was also an increase in the number of Swifts seen.

1 Yellow Wagtail ➝E

1 Cormorant ➝N

25 Swift (10➝SW) (15➝N/NW)

7 Swallow (1➝N)

2 House Martin

1 Sedge Warbler

1 Garden Warbler

Cormorant 5/5/11

Lutley Wedge 03/05/11 07.50am (6°c) Sunny, scattered high cloud. Breezy (E) F2/3

2011-05-03T20:24:00.000+01:00

2 Lapwing flew over ➝ ENE at Wassell Grove Pools, but otherwise remains very quiet migration-wise. With the blocking E/NE winds still in place there was almost no vis mig this morning with only a single Swift seen.

N.b Birding access at Wassell Grove Pools.
Can any birders visiting Wassell Grove pools please first call in at the fisheries cafe/office at the bottom of the pools track on arrival, just to let the fisheries owner Carl know that they are on site. Birders are more than welcome to birdwatch around the pools etc, but access to this site is only due to the goodwill of the fisheries owner.
Many thanks
Craig...

Lutley Wedge 01/05/11 (8°c) Sunny with scattered high cloud. Windy (NE)➝(E) F3/4

2011-05-01T22:15:00.074+01:00

Lutley got in on the large overland Barwit movement of the last few days this morning, with a superb flock of (18) Bar-tailed Godwits flying high ➝ENE at Wassell Grove Pools at 07.46am (only the 2nd record at Lutley Wedge). Otherwise it was fairly quiet migration wise, in the strong and blustery Easterly wind with a trickle of Swifts moving through (the first this year) and 2 Yellow Wagtails of note.
18 Bar-tailed Godwit ➝ENE
2 Yellow Wagtail ➝N
12 Swift ➝E/NE
9 Swallow (3➝NW)
1 Sand Martin ➝NE
7 House Martin (3 ➝N)
2 Sedge Warbler
1 Garden Warbler
1 Willow Warbler
Common Whitethroat
Blackcap
Chiffchaff

Swift 1/5/11

Sedge Warbler Wassell Grove Pools 1/5/11

Sedge Warbler 1/5/11

22/04/11 Lutley Wedge

2011-04-22T22:01:00.000+01:00

Quieter today with the first Sedge Warbler of the spring on the patch this morning at Wassell Grove Pools, and a single Wheatear of note.
1♀ Wheatear near Foxcote House Farm (SLC)
3 Lapwing ➝West (SLC)
1 Sedge Warbler (SLC)

Lutley Wedge 21/04/11

2011-04-21T21:41:00.027+01:00

Another superb ♂ Whinchat was near Wassell Grove Pools this morning with 4 Wheatears, and 1 Yellow Wagtail flew over, and another 4 Wheatears were near Foxcote House Farm.

1 Whinchat (SLC)

8 Wheatear (SLC)

1 Yellow Wagtail (SLC)

♂ Whinchat Wassell Grove/Pools 21/4/11

Lutley Wedge 20/04/11

2011-04-20T21:18:00.001+01:00

The first Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler this year were seen today.
(All sightings SLC..)
5 Wheatear (Top Footpath/near Foxcote House Farm)
2 Yellow Wagtail (1➝E over Top Footpath)
1 Lesser Whitethroat (♂ singing near Wassell Grove Pools)
1 Garden Warbler (♂ singing at Wassell Grove Pools)
4 Sand Martin ➝N

Lutley Wedge 19/04/11 07.10am (7°c) Sunny, clear skies. Cool breeze (NE) F2

2011-04-19T22:00:00.000+01:00

An excellent fall of migrants today, again in largely fine settled and cloudless conditions. At least 21 Wheatears (13♀8♂) were grounded around the Wassell Grove Pools/Foxcote House Farm area along with a ♀ Redstart and a ♀ Yellow Wagtail.

21 Wheatear

2 Yellow Wagtail (1➝N)

1 Redstart

3 Sand Martin (1➝N) (2➝E/NE)

2 House Martin (1➝N)

12 Swallow (9➝N)

4 Common Whitethroat

1 Willow Warbler

3 Chiffchaff

♀ 'flavissima' Yellow Wagtail and ♀ Wheatear (Wassell Grove Pools 19/4/11)

House Martin (Wassell Grove Pools 19/4/11)

Lutley Wedge 18/04/11 07.40am (8°c) Sunny & warm, clear skies. Wind light (E➝SE) F2

2011-04-18T22:36:00.000+01:00

With high pressure and fine settled weather still covering much of the U.K and continental Europe, spring migration continues apace. Perhaps an indication of the volume of birds that must be passing over at the moment was that another (8♂2♀) Wheatears were grounded again at Lutley this morning even though the normal weather conditions for a fall of migrants i.e cloud cover and/or rain, were non existent. Presumably in the favourable migration conditions migrants are mostly over-flying the coast and pushing on to make first landfall much further inland.

10 Wheatear (3♂1♀) Top Footpath, (5♂1♀) Wassell Grove Pools/Foxcote House Farm)

3 Swallow

6+ Blackcap

2 Willow Warbler

6 Common Whitethroat

9+ Chiffchaff

2 Redpoll sp ➝NW

♂ Wheatear Wassell Grove 18/4/11

Lutley Wedge 17/04/11 07.40am (8°c) Sunny & warm, clear skies. Wind light (N➝NE) F1

2011-04-17T18:27:00.002+01:00

Back on the local patch today and a superb fall of migrant chats this morning with a stunning ♂ Whinchat near Foxcote House Farm (the first on the patch this spring) and (4♂ 6♀) Wheatears, grounded first thing. The Whinchat and 6 of the Wheatear were still present in the early afternoon, feeding in horse paddocks though the other Wheatears seemed to have moved through very quickly in the fine weather conditions this morning.

Other highlights included a reeling ♂ Grasshopper Warbler, and single flyover Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail.

1 Whinchat

10 Wheatear

1 Grasshopper Warbler

1 Tree Pipit

1 Yellow wagtail

3 Common Whitethroat

2 Willow Warbler

6+ Chiffchaff

5+ Blackcap

4 House Martin

5+ Swallow

4+ Brambling (Lutley Brook) (SLC)

♂ Whinchat Lutley Wedge 17/4/11

♂♀ Wheatears Wassell Grove 17/4/11

Lutley Wedge 16/04/11

2011-04-16T17:36:00.001+01:00

2 Wheatear (Wassell Grove Pools track) (SLC)
3 Sand Martin ➝N (SLC)

Lutley Wedge 15/04/11

2011-04-15T17:33:00.000+01:00

1♀ Redstart (Wassell Grove Pools) (SLC)
2♂1♀ Wheatear (near Foxcote House Farm) (TH)

Lutley Wedge 14/04/11

2011-04-14T17:29:00.001+01:00

2♂ Wheatear (1 Wassell Grove, 1 near Foxcote House Farm) (SLC)
1♂ Brambling (Lutley Brook) (SLC)
4♂ Common Whitethroat (SLC)
4 House Martin (SLC)
1 Willow Warbler (SLC)
2 Swallow (1➝N) (SLC)

Lutley Wedge 13/04/11

2011-04-13T17:27:00.000+01:00

1♂1♀ Tufted Duck at Wassell Grove Pools (SLC)

Lutley Wedge 12/04/11

2011-04-12T17:25:00.001+01:00

1♂ Wheatear (Top Footpath) (SLC)
2 Common Whitethroat (SLC)

Lutley Wedge 11/04/11

2011-04-11T17:20:00.000+01:00

1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling near Foxcote Pond (SLC)
1 Tree Pipit flew ➝North over Top Footpath (SLC)
1 ♂ Common Whitethroat Top Footpath (SLC)
2 Sand Martins ➝North (SLC)
7/8 Wheatear (SLC)

Lutley Wedge 10/04/11

2011-04-10T17:16:00.005+01:00

7 Wheatear (6 Top Footpath, 1 near Foxcote House Farm) (SLC)

1 Yellow Wagtail flew ➝West over Top Footpath (SLC)

Lutley Wedge 09/04/11

2011-04-09T23:21:00.000+01:00

Another fall of (6) Wheatears, with (1)♂ along Top Footpath early a.m and a further (5) including at least 2♂ near Foxcote House Farm (SLC).

Also seen:-

(2) Willow Warbler (SLC)

(1) Sand Martin ➝N (SLC)

(2) Fieldfare ➝N (SLC)

Lutley Wedge 08/04/11 11.00am (14°c) Warm & sunny, clear skies after early mist. Light NW breeze.

2011-04-08T22:27:00.000+01:00

5 Willow Warblers singing at various spots around the patch today.

5 Sand Martin flew ➝N over the Top Footpath (SLC)

6 Swallows

3 Redpoll sp ➝N

7 Blackcap

9 Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler Lutley Wedge 8/4/11

Lutley Wedge 07/04/11 08.00am (9°c) Warm & sunny/scattered cloud, (clouded over later a.m). Wind (SW)➝(W) F2

2011-04-07T21:44:00.005+01:00

The first Willow Warbler this year was singing along Lutley Brook (SLC).

Visible Migration Wassell Grove Pools :-

1 Cormorant ➝N

7 Sand Martin (5➝N) (2➝SE)

6 Swallow (4➝N/NW)

51 Meadow Pipit ➝N

1 Siskin ➝NW

4 Brambling (2➝NE) (1➝WSW) (1 in)

Also seen :- 1 Fieldfare, 3 Blackcap

Cormorant 7/4/11

Lutley Wedge 06/04/11 08.00am (12°c) Grey and overcast/patchy mist and low cloud clearing to warm sun. Breezy (SW) F3

2011-04-06T17:02:00.075+01:00

Visible migration this morning included increasing numbers of Swallows moving through at Wassell Grove Pools, and the recent good run of Sand Martin sightings continued with 9 flying over. Elsewhere (1)♀ Wheatear was along the Top Footpath early morning (SLC), before flying off high ➝WSW at 11.55am. Probably the same ♀ Wheatear was then relocated in a horse paddock near Foxcote House Farm late evening.

Visible Migration/migrant totals:-

1 Wheatear

12 Swallow (10➝N)

9 Sand Martin (2➝S/SW) (4➝WSW) (3➝N/NW)

33 Meadow Pipit (32➝N) (1➝S)

2 Redpoll sp ➝W

6+ Chiffchaff

5 Blackcap

Sand Martin Wassell Grove Pools 6/4/11

♀ Wheatear 6/4/11

(in flight Wheatears show a characteristic long-winged/short-tailed outline, useful for picking out high flying migrants)

Lutley Wedge 05/04/11 10.50am (12°c) Cool grey and cloudy, rain showers. Windy (SW) F3/4

2011-04-05T23:40:00.001+01:00

With heavily overcast skies and rain showers (1)♀Wheatear was grounded late morning near Foxcote House Farm.

also seen :-

6 Swallow

1 Fieldfare

1 Blackcap

2+ Chiffchaff

♀ Wheatear 5/4/11

Lutley Wedge 04/04/11 07.50am (5°c) Cool and bright, broken high cloud (clouded over from west later a.m) Wind (SW) F3

2011-04-04T23:10:00.000+01:00

Much quieter migration wise today in the windy, cool and cloudy conditions. There was hardly any vis mig this morning though the first (2) House Martins of the year flew over, and were the earliest ever arrival here since way back on 9/4/96!

2 House Martin (1➝WNW) (1➝NW)

1 Sand Martin ➝N

1 Swallow

6 Chiffchaff

1 Blackcap

3 Brambling (1➝NW) (1 Wassell Grove Pools) (1 Wassell Grove Business Centre)

1 Fieldfare

1 Lapwing ➝WNW

1 Meadow Pipit ➝N

House Martin Wassell Grove Pools 4/4/11

Lutley Wedge 03/04/11 07.40am (6°c) Cool and Sunny, patchy cloud and mist. Wind S➝SW F2

2011-04-03T22:55:00.000+01:00

'Black Red on the heap!'

The best day of the spring so far. The highlight was a superb ♀/1st yr ♂ Black Redstart i found feeding around a manure heap along the Top Footpath, and also ranging over to the nearby horse paddocks. (This is my 2nd record Black Redstart for the local patch with the first also found along the Top Footpath on 7/4/09).

There was also an excellent fall of (7)♂(5)♀ Wheatears scattered around the patch, whilst visible migration included a very early Hobby which flew north at Wassell Grove pools at 08.38am, (a new earliest arrival date on the patch).

Supporting cast included a 'patch year tick' Reed Bunting at Wassell Grove Pools.

1 Black Redstart

1 Hobby ➝N

12 Wheatear

3 Sand Martin ➝NW

6 Swallow (5 ➝NW)

6 Brambling ➝N

8 Redpoll sp ➝N/NW

7 Fieldfare (4➝E) (2➝N) (1 in)

40+ Meadow Pipit (33➝N)

Black Redstart Lutley Wedge 3/4/11

Wheatear 3/4/11

Lutley Wedge 02/04/11 08.00am (13°c) Grey and overcast, light rain showers clearing to sun/scattered cloud later. Wind (S)➝(SW) F3/4

2011-04-02T21:18:00.001+01:00

Highlight today was a fall of (4)♂(2)♀ Wheatears, and with heavily overcast skies early on there were also signs of some wader passage with (8) Golden Plover and a single Lapwing flying through at Wassell Grove Pools. Other visible migrants included (10) Sand Martin and departing winter visitors with (5) Brambling and (29) Fieldfare.

6 Wheatear

10 Sand Martin (5➝ESE) (5➝SSW)

1 Swallow

4 Chiffchaff

1 Blackcap

43 Meadow Pipit ➝N

5 Brambling (2➝SE) (3➝ENE)

6 Siskin (2➝N) (4➝SW)

29 Fieldfare (4➝E) (25➝SE)

8 Golden Plover (7➝NW) (1➝E)

1 Lapwing ➝NW

Wheatears Lutley Wedge 2/4/11

Golden Plover heading ➝NW Wassell Grove Pools 2/4/11

Lutley Wedge 01/04/11 08.10am (11°c) Grey and overcast. Windy (SW) F4

2011-04-01T12:17:00.000+01:00

A new month, but with the current unsettled and windy conditions the migration hiatus on the patch continues. Very quiet this morning with visible migration down to a trickle as a few high altitude Meadow Pipits struggled through heading north, and a single Swallow flew over the Top Footpath.
1 Swallow ➝NW (S.L.C)
20 Meadow Pipit ➝N/NW
3 Chiffchaff
1 Blackcap

Lutley Wedge 31/03/11 08.00am (11°c) Grey and overcast with early rain and drizzle. Windy (S)➝(SW) F4

2011-03-31T22:06:00.001+01:00

A Sand Martin flew over at Wassell Grove Pools this morning, the first on the patch this spring and (1♂1♀) Blackcaps were new arrivals. Otherwise vis mig was quiet in the strong and blustery SW wind with a Swallow flying north with 3 Meadow Pipits and a single Brambling.

Other grounded migrants included (1) Redpoll sp at Wassell Grove Pools and (1) ♂Wheatear along the Top Footpath (S.L.C).

1 Sand Martin ➝N

2 Swallow (1➝N)

1 Wheatear

13 Meadow Pipit ➝N

1 Brambling ➝W

1 Redpoll sp (in)

3 Chiffchaff

2 Blackcap

♂ Wheatear Top Footpath 31/3/11

Lutley Wedge 30/03/11 07.50am (9°c) Cool, grey and overcast, rain later. Wind S/SW F3

2011-03-30T21:52:00.000+01:00

A good movement of Fieldfare this morning and the first Blackcap of the spring (S.L.C), but otherwise remains pretty quiet migration wise.

Visible Migration :-

157 Fieldfare (85➝N) (70➝WNW) (2 in)

3 Redwing ➝N

14 Meadow Pipit ➝N

2 Redpoll sp ➝WSW

2 Siskin ➝N

1 Herring Gull ➝SE

3 L.B.B Gull ➝NE

Fieldfares heading North Wassell Grove Pools 30/3/11

Lutley Wedge 28/03/11 11.00am (8°c) Early fog clearing. Wind (E) F 0/1

2011-03-28T21:29:00.005+01:00

Thick fog this morning ruined any chances of some vis mig early on, and a late morning visit after the fog had lifted failed to find much if anything in the way of grounded migrants. All in all quiet!

33 Meadow Pipits (2 ➝N) (31 grounded)

1 Swallow (Wassell Grove Pools)

1 Redwing (Wassell Grove Pools)

3 Chiffchaff

Lutley Wedge 27/03/11 08.50am (BST) (5°c) Cold grey and overcast. Wind (E) F2

2011-03-27T21:26:00.000+01:00

'All about Pipits.....Until the big Milvus!'

With a big improvement in visibility today after yesterdays disappointing migration non-event due to the thick murk, it was good to see birds were on the move again in numbers even if it mainly involved Meadow Pipits. At least (134) flew through and several flocks were grounded by the heavily overcast skies, but the undoubted highlight was a superb Red Kite which flew over at Wassell Grove Pools heading SW at 10.52am.

Also at Wassell Grove Pools:- 1 Swallow, 2+ Chiffchaff.

Visible Migration:-

1 Red Kite ➝SW

208 Meadow Pipit (82➝N/NW) (51➝NE) (1➝S) (74 grounded)

13 Redpoll sp (10➝N) (2➝SE)

14 Redwing ➝SE

Red Kite Wassell Grove Pools 27/3/11

Lutley Wedge 26/03/11 07.15am (6°c) Cold grey and misty (poor visibility). Wind (NE) F2

2011-03-26T20:23:00.004Z

Back to winter birding this morning in the cold and misty weather conditions! There was very little visible migration other than a handful of Meadow Pipits that struggled through the murk, and signs of departing winter visitors with Siskins and Fieldfares heading back North.

Wassell Grove Pools/Visible Migration :-

13 Meadow Pipit ➝N/NE

30 Fieldfare ➝N

14 Siskin ➝NE

Also seen :-

7 Redwing

4 Chiffchaff

2 Lesser Redpoll (Lutley Brook S.L.C)

Lutley Wedge 25/03/11 07.30am (5°c) Sun and patchy high cloud. V.light breeze E/SE F1

2011-03-25T18:27:00.002Z

A small fall of (3) Wheatears this morning (1♀ Wassell Grove Pools) (1♂1♀ near Foxcote). Interestingly the ♀ Wheatear in the horse paddock at Wassell Grove Pools, was seen collecting a beak full of horse hair off the ground, obviously the urge to begin nest building is strong! (1)♂ Swallow again at Wassell Grove Pools and nearby at the Business Centre, whilst

(40+) Meadow Pipits were still near Wassell Grove, and (4) Chiffchaffs were singing at various locations around the patch.

Visible Migration :-

2 Lapwing (1➝SW) (1 ➝SE)

8 Brambling ➝SE

3 Redpoll sp (2➝N)

3 Goldfinch ➝NE

7 Fieldfare ➝SW

26+ Meadow Pipit➝N

2 alba Wagtail (1➝N) (1➝SW)

2 B.H.Gull ➝N

♂ Wheatear 25/3/11

Lutley Wedge 24/03/11 07.50am (7°c) Fine and sunny, clear skies. Patchy early mist (E/SE) F1

2011-03-24T17:38:00.000Z

A classic day on the patch of departing winter visitors and newly arriving spring migrants. The first (1) ♂ Swallow this year was at Wassell Grove Pools early this morning (a new earliest arrival date at Lutley) and a superb flock of (11) Waxwings dropped in at 09.47am before flying off➝ WSW.

Visible Migration/migrant totals:-

1 Swallow

3 Chiffchaff

11 Waxwing ➝WSW

31 Fieldfare ➝N/NE

13 Redwing (12➝N)

2 Redpoll sp ➝SSE

15+ Meadow Pipit ➝N

Waxwing and ♂ Swallow Wassell Grove/Pools 24/3/11

Lutley Wedge 24/03/11

2011-03-24T00:23:00.000Z

Sound recording and sonogram of ♂ Swallow at Wassell Grove 24/3/11

Lutley Wedge 23/03/11 07.40am (6°c) Sun and clear skies. (E) F1

2011-03-23T21:09:00.000Z

Another patch year tick this morning, (1)♀ Goosander was at Wassell Grove Pools at 07.40am before flying off high to the ESE. (3+) Chiffchaff were singing at different locations around the patch.

Visible Migration :-

1 Goosander ➝ENE

3 Redpoll sp (2➝N) (1➝ESE)

1 Siskin ➝W

1 Goldfinch ➝N

1 Brambling ➝SW

11 Fieldfare (10➝N)

6 Meadow Pipit ➝N (A flock of 45+ Meadow Pipit were also near Wassell Grove)

2 Skylark ➝WSW

24 Starling ➝E

♀ Goosander and Siskin Wassell Grove Pools 23/3/11

Lutley Wedge 22/03/11 11.30am (15°c) Warm, Sun and scattered cloud. Light (NW) breeze F1

2011-03-22T15:35:00.000Z

A quick late morning visit to Wassell Grove Pools. (2) Chiffchaffs were singing and there was some late 'vis mig' with small numbers of Meadow Pipits going over, possibly the tail end of a larger movement from earlier this morning.

Visible Migration 11.30-12.30 :-

25 Meadow Pipit ➝N (including a flock of 12)

Also (35+) Meadow Pipit were 'off passage' in a field near Wassell Grove.

Meadow Pipit heading North 22/3/11

Lutley Wedge 21/03/11 07.50am (9°c) Grey and overcast with patchy mist/low cloud. Wind (SW) F2

2011-03-21T17:49:00.005Z

The overcast and slightly murky conditions grounded (1)♂ Wheatear near the entrance track to Wassell Grove Pools, briefly at 08.00am (the first on the patch this spring), and (20+) Meadow Pipits were seen nearby.

At Wassell Grove Pools, still only (1) Chiffchaff singing.

Visible Migration :-

8 Siskin (7➝N) (1➝WNW)

2 Redpoll sp ➝N

5 Meadow Pipit ➝N

1 alba Wagtail ➝NE

1 Herring Gull ➝E

♂ Wheatear Wassell Grove 21/3/11

Chiffchaff Wassell Grove Pools 21/3/11

Lutley Wedge 20/03/11 07.50am (5°c) Cold, cloudy and overcast start, brighter later a.m. Wind SW/S F2

2011-03-20T21:26:00.114Z

Visible migration this morning included the first 3 Cormorants of the spring on the move. 2 Lapwing flew through and there was a slight increase in numbers of Meadow Pipit going over, though after an initial flurry of Pipit passage early doors including an impressive flock of 29 heading North, passage slowed dramatically and stopped soon after.
The only obvious new grounded migrant today was (1) ♀Stonechat near Wassell Grove (the 2nd this spring) though still no sign of any passage Wheatear yet. (1) Chiffchaff, (21) Redwing and (5) Fieldfare were around Wassell Grove Pools.
Visible Migration :-
37 Meadow Pipit ➝N
3 Cormorant ➝NW
2 Lapwing ➝SE
6 Siskin ➝E/SE
3 Goldfinch ➝NE
16 Starling ➝E
3 Herring Gull ➝E/NE
1 B.H.Gull ➝W/SW
3 Grey Heron (2➝WNW) (1➝SE)

♀ Stonechat Wassell Grove and Cormorants 20/3/11

Chiffchaff Wassell Grove Pools 20/3/11

(sound recording/sonogram from this bird below...)

Chiffchaff Sonogram 20/3/11

Lutley Wedge 19/03/11 08.50am Sunny, clear skies Light (S) wind

2011-03-19T17:47:00.004Z

1 Chiffchaff this morning at Wassell Grove Pools also 9 Redwing.

Visible Migration :-

22 Meadow Pipit ➝N

1 alba Wagtail ➝NNW

6 Siskin (4➝N/NW) (1➝NE) (1➝S)

Also seen :- (10+) Fieldfare, (30+) Meadow Pipit and (1) Goldcrest.
(1)♀Brambling (Lutley Brook) (P.Clement)
(1) Small Tortoiseshell butterfly

Redwing 19/3/11

Lutley Wedge 18/03/11 08.20am (4°c) Grey cloudy and overcast. Wind Light (N)

2011-03-18T19:27:00.071Z

There was an influx of (184+) Redwing today including at least (177) at Wassell Grove Pools, whilst visible migration consisted of small numbers of flyover Meadow Pipit, Redpoll, Siskin, a single alba Wagtail and (2) Lapwing. Also seen :-(2) Chiffchaffs along Lutley Brook and (8) Fieldfare.

Visible Migration 08.20-10.20am:-

2 Lapwing ➝NW

12 Meadow Pipit ➝N

1 alba Wagtail ➝N

6 Redpoll sp (2➝N) (4➝SW)

5 Siskin (2➝NE)

2 Grey Heron➝SE

Chiffchaff and Meadow Pipit 18/3/11

Lapwing and Redpoll 18/3/11

Lutley Wedge 17/03/11 12.10pm (12°c) Warm, Sun and scattered cloud. Light (NW) wind

2011-03-17T17:31:00.034Z

(3)♂ Chiffchaffs today (Hodge Hill/Top Footpath/Lutley Brook)

Also seen :-

2 Raven (Wassell Grove Pools)

25+ Meadow Pipit (5➝North)

16 Fieldfare

2 Redwing

3 Siskin

1 Lesser Redpoll (Lutley Brook) (S.L.C)

5 Common Buzzard

Chiffchaff 17/3/11

Lutley Wedge 16/03/11

2011-03-16T17:50:00.021Z

1 Chiffchaff (Top Footpath) the first this spring. (S.L.C)
1 Woodcock (Wassell Grove Pools) (S.L.C)
70+ Fieldfare (Wassell Grove Pools) (S.L.C)
10+ Redwing

1 Marsh Tit (S.L.C) The first record for Lutley Wedge.

Lutley Wedge 13/03/11 09.50am (5°c) Cool and cloudy, early rain a.m clearing. (W) wind

2011-03-13T17:24:00.001Z

A flock of 32 Meadow Pipits were near Wassell Grove Pools, with 60+ Redwing and 47 Fieldfare nearby.

Lutley Wedge 12/03/11 08.00am (6°c) Grey and overcast start. S/SE Breeze F2

2011-03-12T22:08:00.000Z

Highlights today were the first migrant ♂ Stonechat this spring in horse paddocks near Wassell Grove Pools, and a flock of (13) Golden Plover which flew over at 08.09am.

Also seen:- (18) Redwing, (30) Fieldfare, (1) Herring Gull, (4) Common Buzzard.

Visible Migration Wassell Grove Pools 08.00-0930 :-

13 Golden Plover ➝NE

8 Siskin (5➝N)

2 Goldfinch ➝ENE

5 Meadow Pipit (4➝N/NW) (1➝S)

1 Grey Heron ➝SE

19 Black-headed Gull (18 ➝WNW) (1➝SSW)

1 Herring Gull ➝SW

♂ Stonechat 12/3/11