Hobbies have been scarce this year, but on the 11th September a big gathering of 300 Swallows and House Martins near Duck Lane, attracted two, seen by John Croxton with apparently a juvenile food begging from its parent. By this time the Swallows and Martins had disappeared.
Staying in Duck Lane, Jenny Croxton has seen a Grey Wagtail visiting her pond, the first for some time. We are always pleased to get reports from villagers and Jackie Huxtable watched a Kingfisher on Clevedon sea front early on the 23rd. I have had two sightings at the sea wall, my first there for several years so hopefully Kingfishers have benefitted from the good summer weather.
A species that definitely has enjoyed a bumper year is the Barn Owl and Neil and Sophie from Duck Lane saw two hunting at Nailsea Wall ( 24th). A Red Backed Shrike turned up at Sand Point – this species was known as the ‘butcher bird’ to country folk because of its habit of creating a larder by impaling prey, small birds, large insects and even lizards, on a thorn bush.
Red Backed Shrikes ceased to breed in the UK after a long period of decline, but recently returned, in very small numbers, to Dartmoor. The Sand Point bird was a juvenile almost certainly off course from Scandinavia to Southern Europe.
The sea wall has produced a few unusual migrants, my favourites being four Avocets, the emblem of the RSPB. The very high tides mid month made for good viewing conditions, which was just as well with fairly similar species present. The odd Little Stint. Sanderling and Curlew Sandpiper were mixed in with the Dunlin flock.
The Shelducks are back from their moult migration, over 200 being present and 60 Oystercatchers was a record count for me at the site.
By the end of October Fieldfares and Redwings will be passing over ( at night) and arriving to feed on hawthorn berries and small invertebrates, heralding the onset of winter…
Trevor Riddle 01934 835208
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