As well as the wonderful migration of Swallows reported by other observers, there was an interesting movement of birds in the valley yesterday. Not that many warblers evident (but a rather nice Whitethroat), but 15-20 Blue Tits, at least half a dozen Wrens (both high numbers for here) and up to a dozen immature Stonechats. Flyovers included a Grey Wagtail and several Skylarks: really feels like autumn now.
A nice surprise was a juvenile Water Rail which, for some inexplicable reason, jumped out of the dense undergrowth, and then flopped down into the top of a sallow bush. It struggled there for several minutes before finally escaping back to the stream bed. But not before giving excellent views of the rather brown and dull bill, and poorly-marked flanks.
Some nice close sightings on the slipway at Dale in the last few days: two Kingfishers darting around, probably picking up food on the rising tide. Possibly the same two birds I saw at the Gann on Saturday. And a Common Sandpiper that flew in, and then around the jetty for several minutes, calling, and alighting on a number of nearby boats.
