Watton Brook Valley

Following a night of heavy persistent rain and easterly winds around the northern edge of a low pressure system from the near continent, an early morning visit to the Watton Brook Valley brought as expected, some migrants.
An initial check of the valley produced an exciting find, another impaled beetle on a barbed wire fence about a half-mile from the implaed beetle found on the 22nd August.  The beetle was still alive.  Clearly, a Shrike, probably Red-backed, is working this area, however, as before, could not be found.

One of 5 Whinchats in the Watton Brook Valley.

I was not feeling to good at all, therefore, I did a spot check of a small section of the Watton Brook Valley and soon located 5 Whinchats along fences and thick herbage alongside the Brook.  The question has to be asked, How many more Whinchats, and other migrants for that matter fell during the night on the patch?
Typical behaviour was observed by Whinchats, including watching them dropping to the ground and quickly returning to the same area of fence to consume the catch, a small insect probably.
Also very much of note in the valley was at least 100+ Swallows which were hunting low over the fields for winged insects, many Swallows often alighted along the valley on the fence.
Many Wood Pigeons sat along the valley and appeared to take delight from sitting into the rain for a wash-up.  A couple of Reed Buntings and Dunnocks were also seen along the valley.
A single Kestrel was overhead whilst on higher ground at least 5 Buzzards and a pair of Red Kites soared.