The first day of meteorological autumn

What a cracking start to the first day of meteorological autumn with a dawn that actually felt autumnal, cool, mist in low lying areas and bright.  The day dawned 9 degrees Celsius and hit a high of 24 degrees Celsius by the afternoon.
This was my first day off from work in over a week and wanted to get it started well with finding migrant birds on the patch, I therefore duly headed off at dawn to my migration watchpoint on high ground near Ashill.
The habitat covered this morning was a mixed double hedgerow corridor comprising typical species including plenty of ripened Elder and Bramble, a veritable feast for migrant birds.  Notable numbers of Warblers seen included:

15+ Blackcap (female/juv + 2 males seen)
10 Whitethroat
3+ Lesser Whitethroat
5+ Chiffchaff
1 Reed Warbler

Blackcaps appeared as the most abundant Warbler species and were quite widespread.  All age groups seen including a juvenile bird watched feeding upon Blackberries.  Fruit forms the greater part of the diet of Warblers now as they build energy reserves for their continuing migration.

Blackcap (juvenile) on the patch 1st September

Blackcap (juvenile) feeding upon Blackberries 1st September

Some very smart looking Whitethroats were seen either in the dead umbellifer species along the hedge or in Elders, however, the highlight for me this morning was briefly seeing an absolute cracking Lesser Whitethroat, I only saw the back of the bird and the turning head, this was a stunning grey which contrasted strongly with the brilliant white throat.  Such a wonderful sight is permanently etched in ones memory.  Lesser Whitethroat must be one of our smartest Sylvia Warblers.
Since my previous visit on 24th August Chiffchaffs have increased in numbers.  On one occasion this morning I saw Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, and Blackcap all sharing the same small area of hedge.