Quiet

Too quiet. But it feels as if there should be something. Returned from working away for the week totally knackered and not enthusiastic about birding. Three Redwing over the garden on Saturday, late afternoon were the first here for the autumn (I had been seeing a few each day near Pately Bridge where I'd been working).

This morning I tried a couple of hours in the Saltwick area. There were a few migrants; 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 11 Chaffinch, 3 Reed Bunting and a redpoll sp. Skylarks were trickling in/off as were Meadow Pipits but it wasn't very exciting. A Merlin livened things up.

At home a Jay, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Marsh Tit and the male Sparrowhawk made a successful strike (prey item unidentified). I must have seen the Sparrowhawk (presumed same male bird) make at least 20 attempts at our feeders and this is only the second successful sortie. They have to work hard for their grub.

Helophilus pendulus (hoverfly) and Comma

Butterflies in the garden - Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma; one of each.

In this one the Comma is sharp

A quick nip to the recently neglected Scaling Dam for the gull roost produced 519 Common Gulls before they left to roost on the sea I guess. A Goosander was unexpected. There were three Lesser Black-backed Gulls which are not so common here and the three other commoner species of gull were well represented.