Buzztember

We are in proper autumn now. Staring winter in the face. But it was more tail-end-of-summer three weeks ago at the end of September.

It was on the face of it set up to be an unremarkable weekend but it was anything but. The weather conditions were just perfect for raptors to be in the air on Saturday - warm, sunny, slight breeze - and the timing perfect for post-breeding dispersal and passage migrants. As a result there were 57 birds of prey noted, of 6 species. Some double counting could have happened but I'm fairly confident that amount was very low. Unfortunately I only had 2-3 hours on Sunday, but the conditions had changed (cloudy) and it was obvious a repeat wasn't on the cards.

27-28 September

Mute Swan - 5 cygnets with a pair at Harpham

Pink-footed Goose - 210 flying south in two skeins (90+120)

Teal - 10

Mallard - 70+

Tufted Duck - 5

Red-legged Partridge - 15

Grey Partridge - 14

Pheasant - 130+ around Harpham (presumably many many more not seen)

Cormorant - 14 (an exceptional count for the area)

Grey Heron - 6

Honey Buzzard - 1 south on 27th

Marsh Harrier - 1

Sparrowhawk - 6

Common Buzzard - 28

Kestrel - 19

Peregrine - 2

Golden Plover - 370 (record area count)

Lapwing - 80

Snipe - 1

Curlew - 1

Green Sandpiper - 1

Kingfisher - 4

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 4

Swallow - 6

House Martin - 2+

Meadow Pipit - 5

Grey Wagtail - 1

Chiffchaff - 1 singing at Kelk Beck

Long-tailed Tit - several flock including one of 30+ birds.

Goldfinch - 26

Despite so many raptors I didn't get a single picture of one. Always too distant. Here's some alternatives instead.

Golden Plover. Autumn is the best time for these, or at least the most reliable time. Spring can see large flocks stopping off (the previous record count is from March) but they are unpredictable. Overwintering is almost unheard of here.

This family of swans at Harpham could be the ones that bred at the southern end of Kelk Beck. That pair disappeared in summer and I wasn't aware of a pair anywhere near Harpham. It would be the first recorded breeding at Harpham if there has been, though.

Spare adult. Very tame.

Pheasants everywhere. Hundreds of them. There will be less around soon.

Pinkies going south. Always a complete delight to see.

Just the funky buzzard added to the year list. It doesn't look like we're going to hit 110, which is currently the lowest total from recent years.

102 Honey Buzzard.