After an early doctors appointment I decided to pop over to Napton churchyard and enjoy the rarity that is autumnal sunshine. On arrival I was greeted by four Mistle Thrush having a little set-to, until finally things settled down with one bird actually breaking into full song.
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| One of four Mistle Thrush at Napton |
The usual Napton dog owners club were still hanging around: You always know when their about as it seems they spend the whole time screaming at and chastising their dogs, which this morning seemed to be giving the cow population along 'the gully' a hard time!
At least a half dozen Greenfinch, a single Goldcrest and a few Chaffinch were feeding within the Yew Trees, along with a good number of continental Blackbirds, Song Thrush and several Redwings. Overhead a couple of Lapwing flew south but the local Ravens were nowhere to be found. I spent a further half hour or so on site, fascinated by a couple of Pied Wagtails, which were feeding on insects enticed out by the suns heat on the church parapets. I finally gave up when a transit van arrived with another hoard of dogs, the barking of which I could hear halfway down the lane as they approached.
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| Managed a few images of Lesser Redpoll |
Next to a sunny Brandon Marsh with a light north-easterly and I spent my first 20-minutes or so trying to get a half decent shot of at least one of a trio of Lesser Redpoll feeding in the canopy near the wind pump. After achieving a couple of record shots I made my way towards the sound of a strimmer working away and I could also see smoke rising in the still air over near Sheep Field. As expected the Tuesday crew were in action, along with an old friend of Brandon Marsh, Mike Lee, a real loss to us when he moved over to Shropshire and someone who insists on driving nearly 100 miles to join us on occasions, there's dedication for you.
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| Gorgeous red crown of Lesser Redpoll |
After a catch-up with the guys, who'll be pleased to know I'm back on the chainsaw this Thursday after getting my stitches removed today, I took a brief tour of the reserve.
The River Avon is pretty high up after the recent rains so River Pool Hide was inaccessible but East Marsh Pool had the expected wildfowl, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall and a single ♂Goldeneye. Carlton Pool held three Little Grebe but the Jury Hide was very quiet. To be honest It was a bit of a whistle stop tour before heading off but my walk did record: Linnet, Goldcrest, ♂♀Bullfinch, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, (2) Cetti's Warbler and (4) Water Rail heard and a single Skylark over.
