Autumn Arrives

Teal were in good numbers this morning, with at least twelve at the north end of lake, and smaller groups at the southern end. The first Shoveler of the Autumn (and a year tick) was an eclipse male at the south end, and three Common Snipe were showing on Mud Island. Amongst the 120 or so Black-headed Gull on the water at the north end of the lake was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull in winter plumage, the first I've ever seen on the lake. It remained throughout the early morning, but had gone by 9:30am.

At least two Kingfisher were present, with a single flying between perches at the north end of the lake, and one bird was being chased up stream by another at Kingfisher Corner. A female Bullfinch was on the ground near Willow Pools, and exactly twenty five Lapwing were in Morris's Field with groups of Black-headed Gull and Jackdaw.

Warblers were still lingering and singing with three Blackcap feeding in elder at Dawson's Corner, Chiffchaff at the Reedbed Boardwalk, and late Willow Warbler at both Leen Pastures and Bestwood Quarry Plateaux. A Willow Tit and a charm of Goldfinch were also at Leen Pastures, and a female Sparrowhawk was on Biffa Bank at the Quarry.

At the Ferny Wood Viewpoint, at least six Common Buzzard were seen soaring in two groups of three high to the north that later joined together to form a group of six. At 1:45pm at least two Common Buzzard were very high over Warren Hill - one being a dark morph adult bird.