With winds from WNW this afternoon, I didn't expect to see too many passage birds on the patch, however, I decided to pay a short visit to the Threxton area, specifically, the Sewage treatment works and the beautiful, and very lush looking Watton Brook Valley.
The current wind direction has probably put on hold any major movements of passerine species, nevertheless, the following species were seen/heard on this short visit:
1 Grey Heron
6 Greylag Geese
1 Hobby
Grey Wagtail
2+ Pied Wagtail (juvenile)
50+ Hirundines (mostly Swallows)
1 Whitethroat
1 Chiffchaff
I was overviewing from the exposed, windy western edge of the STW, therefore, it was highly likely that more migrants were present in other sheltered areas.
Much of the time at the STW I spent watching Swallows swooping over the ponds and flying at speed and with agility around and between trees and bushes around the periphery of the plant, I suspected that it would be just a matter of time before a Hobby would appear. Suddenly, I was alerted by alarm calling Hirundines, at the same time all 50+ birds climbed above the area, and as suspected, a Hobby passed through quite leisurely. After a short while the Swallows settled and the Hobby soared and climbed away to the south.....perhaps with an eye on the Swallows for a surprise attack.
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