Thursday 18 March
All very quiet this morning and the return walk complete within 75 minutes. It would certainly appear that most of the winter visitors have now departed and mainly the resident, breeding birds left on site. Amazing to think that I will not see the following until next Autumn; green Sandpiper, Crag Martin, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail and only the possible occasional White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Chiffchaff and Common Starling. In addition, no sign of the local breeding Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap nor a Stonechat this morning, all possible already on nest.
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| Greenfinch Carduelis chloris |
Spotless Starling numbers are now much reduced as the winter flocks disperse but no shortage of Blackbirds sorting out their breeding territories. Lots of Greenfinches, Serins and Goldfinches along with the resident House Sparrows.
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| Distant Serin Serinus serinus |
As ever, Collared Doves were to be seen from start to finish but this morning not a Wood Pigeon to be seen and hardly compensation to find a single Feral Pigeon. Once again the Monk Parakeets were late in arriving but they certainly know to announce their presence known once on site. Once beyond the motorway underpass there were still Lesser Black-backed Gulls making use of the hidden reservoir and lovely to see a Hoopoe feeding on the grassy area next to the Experimental Station entrance. And still a lonely Cattle Egret on the same fixture at the local sewage works. I wonder if the bird remains all summer?
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| Hoopoe Upupa epops |
Birds seen:
Cattle Egret, lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Blackbird, Spotless Staling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.
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