Threxton, Bodney, and Little Cressingham.

Migration is certainly beginning to pick up now with good numbers of Warbler species seen and heard widely this morning.  Some of my known areas for migrants were checked and it was interesting to note that 5+ Chiffchaffs were found in one small patch of woodland habitat at Threxton.  Also at Threxton, signs of the approaching autumn evident when my first passage Meadow Pipit heard overhead.

Threxton
I parked at the church and walked south along the road leading to 'The Arms'. The mature woodland along the periphery of the Clermont estate held Blackcap, Coal Tits, several Goldcrests and 2+ Bullfinches.


Whitethroat (juvenile) Threxton 3 September '13

My intention was then to walk back to a small, but well stocked patch of woodland which has always been a favourite destination for me this time of year for finding migrants.  5+ Chiffchaffs were present, including one singing bird.  Also, 2 Blackcap (female seen), Whitethroat (juvenile), but my star bird was a single Lesser Whitethroat which flew into the woodland from the north, spent a minute or two in a large Hawthorn, and then flew purposefully south out of the woodland....good evidence of passage with this bird.

Also of particular interest was an overhead calling Meadow Pipit, my first for September and a sure sign that autumn approaches.
Resident species here included many Blue Tits and Chaffinches.

Bodney Church
Further migrants found at this small church included Blackcap and Chiffchaffs (including one singing), also Long-tailed Tits and Coal Tits seen and heard.

Little Cressingham Windmill.


Blackcap (juvenile) Little Cressingham 3 September '13

The migrant theme continued here with 2+ Blackcaps (including a juvenile seen), Whitethroat, and Chiffchaffs.  Overhead was 50+ House Martins and a Swallow.  Most, if not all of the House Martins seen swarming above me would have bred in their communal nesting site at the nearby cottage.


Migrants list and notes
50+ House Martins
1 Swallow
Blackcap
Chiffchaff - widespread with a concentration of 5+ at one small site
2+ Whitethroat
1 Lesser Whitethroat - Threxton. Dropped in briefly before continuing south.
Meadow Pipit - Threxton. Overhead migrant heard (first of autumn).