Sunday Sept 8

A fine sunny morning saw me hanging around the horse shed area at Netherstead Farm waiting for Dave to arrive. This was actually pretty rewarding because the area was full of birds, and in particular about 100 Greenfinches which were repeatedly visiting the tarmac surrounding the newly constructed horse jumping square.

A portion of the flock plus a Blue Tit

I am guessing they were collecting grit to aid digestion.

Dave arrived around 9.00am and we started checking the hedgerows. The first Meadow Pipit of the autumn flew over, and warblers included an unexpected Reed Warbler. I also photographed this toadstool. I don't know what species it is but judging by the black stuff oozing from it I am guessing the word Inkcap appears somewhere in its name.

The field behind the pool still contains at least four Whinchats, and the flashes revealed good numbers of Teal (54), and Snipe (15) plus two Green Sandpipers. We remain a little disappointed by the lack of additional wader, or even duck species.

The warbler count continued to mount as we returned, reaching seven Common Whitethroats, two Lesser Whitethroats, a Blackcap (plus about six unidentified tackers calling unseen) and seven Chiffchaffs. A Hobby flew distantly over Bannam's Wood, and two Grey Wagtails headed west.

The hedgerows are now full of fruit, and sloes are particularly bountiful this year.

 Potentially some Sloe Gin for Christmas 2014 perhaps.