Threxton (Watton Brook Valley) 1320-1500

1 Woodlark
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Blackcap (female)
4 Sand Martins (Visible Migration) west during heavy shower

An interesting visit to the valley, this time at Threxton, frequent and often heavy showers moved through on a moderate west wind.  One or two brighter spells.
This was an interesting visit for not only evidence of passage Warbler species, but notably for witnessing visible migration along the valley.

Threxton (Watton Brook Valley) 4th October

 The landscape and variety of habitat in this part of the valley is a good recipe for finding many bird species.  The Watton Brook meanders through floodplain and grazing land, the farmland is quite rolling, fine woodlands and roadside trees of considerable age, old Hawthorn, Alder, Elder, and Guelder Rose, along with the nearby Sewage Treatment works, all exist here and present the needs for birds, be they resident, or passage species.
An immaculate female Blackcap was seen in Hawthorn, and later in a dark conifer, which, enhanced the lovely fresh plumage of this bird, she had the typical brown cap, white half-ring around the lower part of the eye, brown wings, and off-white underparts.
When a flock of Long-tailed Tits moved through a hedge, thoughts of something unusual with them came to mind, this time Blue Tits and Goldcrest were in this mixed-species flock.
Whilst watching the mixed flock of Tits, I became aware of an approaching "toolu toolu" call, a short while later a single Woodlark passed low, directly over me.  
Several Pied Wagtails were present, these were joined by a single Grey Wagtail.
At about 1430, another area of dark cloud and heavy showers passed through, it was in the rain when I noticed Hirundine passage, checking them, it was 4 Sand Martins passing through west along the valley.
A check along the valley in one of the rare brighter spells I saw a distant male Kestrel sitting on the topmost dead branch of a tall Oak.  I managed to scope this handsome bird at x60.  He had the light grey head and nape, yellow cere, chestnut mantle with black spotting, dark pointed primaries, grey tail with black terminal band, and I could just see his buff underparts.  His head was bobbing as he focussed upon his surroundings.  The Kestrels presence eventually attracted a few Jackdaws which eventually drove him off.
A very pleasing visit with evidence of migration being witnessed, an aspect of birding which never ceases to amaze.