Brading NR

Last Monday (13thNov) morning I went atop Headon again (staying faithful) with some hope of catching some vis mig: but aside from a few brambling and redpoll, there wasn't much to report on that fresh (northerly wind) and bright morning.

Today, and much milder, I visited Brading NR in the afternoon. Must admit it's been some time since I had a good look around the reserve, so it was nice to get back to a place I used to spend most of my birding time; and on the back of recent reports and finds of a white stork, both cattle and GW egrets, a bittern, and a glossy ibis; it seemed like a good idea to visit(!)

Did I see any of those? Well. No. But had some good views of peregrine (that had picked off a starling), marsh harrier, sprawk, and a flock of snipe (13). Probably heard and saw in flight a water pipit too.

 

Peregrine carrying its prey - a starling

 

marsh harrier

 

sprawk

 

Incoming snipe (all vid caps)



Headon - bramblings

Another week and another vis mig session on the Warren this morning; with clear blue skies and possibly the first frost of the autumn, it's safe to say British summer has ended. Early doors and there was some movement over head, though it is starting to feel like we're approaching the tail end of autumn migration as things soon petered out.

Finches were the main movers and the highlight was some brambling pitching in not far from my VP and alighting the trees; albeit briefly as they soon moved off in an easterly direction joining or with others - so a possible seven in total and a good island count. Also a black redstart present.

And on the way back after passing through Shalfleet I noticed several raptors circling around together over some farmland; so I pulled up and studied them: a total of 12 buzzards together. It almost felt continental watching such a large group together like that up in the still blue sky - and probably the biggest group I've ever seen together.

 

 

 

Duff shots but gives an impression - brambling

 

 

Only managed to fit 7 of the 12 in - common buzzard

Headon Warren

 

 

 

Headon warren - black red

 

 

 

Rooftop at home - black red

 

 

mistle thrush

 

Lapland Bunting - Headon

Back on Headon warren and quite a productive day in all. As soon as arrived Wood pigeons seemed to fill the skies in all directions - classic time of year and conditions, sunny and fresh.
Then a steady mix of vis mig from my VP. But quite early on I spotted a raptor over the sea seemingly coming towards me; however, a corvid (raven?) intercepted it and harassed it to the point it just flew due west (very reminiscent of the movements of the HB me and the bro had last year). On closer inspection the bird in question was a marsh harrier.

 

 

 

 

Record shots - marsh harrier



An hour later another highlight materialised: a Lapland bunting seen and heard came over the ridge of the warren; must be a few years since me and the bro had one on the other side of the chine on WHD; and it gave a serin like call punctuated with the chu like sound - more harsher and curt than a snow bunt. Great to hear.

A ring ouzel landed just below my VP.

  ringo - pitched in

 

  fieldfare - over the warren

  

 

  woodpigeon - modest numbers

 

  Dartford - showy

Painted lady - WHD

 

West wight

This week, weather wise, was dire. Mist reduced visibility to 20 yards. Only hope really was for something grounded. Suffice to say nothing much to report.

Going through some photos from last week's Vis mig I spotted one of a bird that looked interesting though; wondering if it was a Crossbill; don't recall hearing it. Picture quality duff just to add to the mystery.

Its general shape and it appears to show a hooked bill

 

St Caths

Lots more firecrest about. Redpoll, skylark, siskin on the move. But not any big numbers. And an interesting looking Sun.

 

 

 

Stole that idea/joke - but I thought it was funny

Headon and WHD

Fall of firecrest and two snipe over

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snipe over Alum Bay