Monday, 29 May 2023

Short-toed lark (and Redstart) Dale airfield

I met up with George and Fiona to look for the Short-toed lark that had been found earlier in the day. We eventually caught sight as it flew from midway along the western runway (approx SM7935606805) across to the eastern runway and dropped down at SM 79592 06660 - where we had distant views on the ground before it had a spat with a skylark. The S-T lark chased the skylark over to the overgrown (southern) runway. We followed after it but no sign. Walking back up the western runway we flushed it again, from beside a bed of nettles, near the initial spot. As before, it flew towards the eastern runway. We followed it in our binoculars until we lost sight over the out of bounds section. We did another circuit but no further sign. 

The way it chased off the skylark and as it was reported singing earlier it may well stick around. It gives a raspy trillip or trit call and looks noticeably pale and sandy coloured. A female Redstart on the fence at the top of the eastern runway was a bit unexpected.