After a few more weeks unable to arrange a visit I just squeezed one into August. There was a distinct 'transition' late summer early autumn feel about the place, with weather to match. Noticeable was the large amount of crops that is still to be harvested, and as a result a lot fewer ploughed fields than expected.
Highlights were relatively limited although a Wheatear was the standout bird - not easy to find in autumn. Other notables were a Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, a record total of 13 Green Sandpipers (including a flock of 11) and another summer Jay.
Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August
Canada Goose - 270
Greylag - 28
Mute Swan - 2
Mallard - 110
Teal - 14
Tufted Duck - 3
Red-legged Partridge - 15
Grey Partridge - 9
Little Grebe - 3
Grey Heron - 16
Little Egret - 1
Cormorant - 2
Marsh Harrier - 1 prob juv
Buzzard - 20
Lapwing - 8
Green Sandpiper - 13
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 14
Barn Owl - 1
Kingfisher - 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2
Kestrel - 3
Hobby - 2
Jay - 1
Coal Tit - 4
Hurundines - still plenty about (200+)
Warblers - mostly Chiffchaff & Blackcap but 2 Willow, 2 Sedge, 3 Whitethroat
Treecreeper - 1
House Sparrow - 100+ at Little Kelk
Wheatear - 1
Yellow Wagtail - 1
Grey Wagtail - 1
Pied Wagtail - flock of 18
Bullfinch - 1
Linnet - 70
Goldfinch - 80
1 - Canada Goose with 'diluted' plumage. Although the local Greylags sometimes show aberrant 'leucistic' plumage (varying from odd white feathers to almost all white plumage) this is the first time I can recall seeing a non-standard Canada. There was a second bird close by with similar dilution, so perhaps they are young from the same brood.
2 - Heron taking a break in a field flood
3 - signs of autumn
4 - Red Admiral glowing in the sun
5 - THWACK! The road bridge at Wansford (to Skerne) is closed to traffic after a combine harvester bumped the western wall into the river. Could take six months to fix it, so I hear.
Two additions to the yearlist:
094 Treecreeper
095 Wheatear
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