A dry but cloudy start to the day with a light Northerly wind veering NE.
This morning I visited the STW which serves Bodney army camp. I was checking the various habitats for migrants, but also I intended watch the sky for evidence of passage raptors once temperatures had warmed sufficiently to witness movement.
Migrants appeared thin on the ground this morning with just 4+ Chiffchaffs being seen around the STW, however, attention turned towards expected species in the area.
Within the STW a single Grey Wagtail was seen along with 2 Pied Wagtails. Typically, the Grey Wagtail seen this morning was a stunning bird with its contrasting grey cap and mantle and bright yellow undertail coverts and rump, hint of yellow on the breast and white belly. The flight is deeply undulating.
Also present was two Stonechats (male and female) and 50+ Goldfinches wandering the area to feed upon weed seeds.
With warming temperatures attention turned towards the sky for evidence of raptor passage, I didn't have too long to wait when a Peregrine passed over at height. As it passed over a Sparrowhawk mobbed the larger raptor, on one occasion this was met with some aggression by the Peregrine towards the Sparrowhawk when it was clearly seen to make a mock attack which included showing its talons to the Sparrowhawk. The Peregrine appeared to drift west.
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