Watton Brook Valley (juvenile Greenshank)

This morning, I decided to check the valley for migrants before stormy conditions set in.  Even early morning it was very windy, but sunny and warm otherwise.

Following recent very heavy thunderstorms, the valley became flooded in many areas along its length, thus becoming attractive to Gulls and passing wader species.  This morning Gulls were present in good numbers on flood water, an estimated 400+ Black-headed Gulls, and a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present in varying age groups.  One of these Black-headed Gulls was seen chasing a Wader species, as the chase broke off I followed the wader and despite distance, saw an unmarked darkish upper-wing and a white rump extending up the rump to form a wedge shape, this was a Greenshank.

The Greenshank alighted on the ground, which comprised mostly long grass, which rendered the wader lost to view.  Apart from the occasional relocation flight, the bird was difficult to find, the search was on.

A long thorough look through the Gulls and surrounding habitats proved fruitless, however, I later detected a little movement in long grass, using my 'scope I said under my breath "Yes, Greenshank". I trained my 'scope on this bird where it preened for some time, but was always partially concealed in the grass.  The key features seen on the Greenshank was the long, slightly up-turned bill, pale grey-brown crown, white forecrown, dark loral stripe which accentuated the white forecrown and chin and throat. The grey-brown patterned upperparts showed this to be a juvenile bird.

I have often encountered Greenshanks in autumn on the patch, these are always singleton birds, and generally calling passage birds, so to find one on the ground with reasonable views was the highlight of the day for me. 

Hummingbird Hawk Moth

20th August.  A beautiful Hummingbird Hawk Moth visited our buddleia to feed.  This delightful day-flying Moth has been reported frequently around Norfolk this year, their numbers fluctuate year to year.

Historically, swarms of Hummingbird Hawk Moths were encountered by allied forces crossing the English Channel on D-Day 6th June 1944

Garden Observations

I planted my hedge some six years ago in the garden with of course, bird friendly, native species being chosen. A variety of species were planted including Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Dog Rose, and Elder.  The hedge has grown well and now supports many species which use it for cover, nesting, and feeding.
Today, the most frequent species in the garden, as it often always is, was good numbers of Starlings, the vast majority of which are juvenile birds which are now acquiring adult plumage.  As well as food which I provide, Starlings are now attracted to my Dogwood where they are taking the ripening berries, or Dogberries.

Juvenile female Starling 2nd August

Also present in good numbers at this current time are House Sparrows, and today I saw recently fledged young birds being fed by a male parent.  The bill colour variations was seen today, particularly in the males, the adult having a black bill, whilst juvenile males have some yellow in the bill.

House Sparrow 2nd August. A beautiful and overlooked species.

A regular visit over the past couple of days is a juvenile Robin, a very alert, and sometimes alert little character.
Overhead, at least 3 Swifts seen, soon, these most aerial of birds will be heading south  , until their return next April.

Robin (juvenile) in garden 2nd August

Bodney, Norfolk

A beautiful, very bright morning in the Brecks, and time to start thinking about searching for migrants on the patch.  This morning I spent about an hour or so watching a beautiful area of rough grassland with scattered Elder, an area I have associated with resting and feeding passage birds over the years.
Out of three of the past 10 years I have found evidence of a Shrike species in this area in August, with impaled beetles being found on barbed wire, but I have yet to find the Shrike responsible, was it Red-backed, or possibly, Woodchat Shrike.  Fantastic, suitable habitat for Shrike will surely see a representative of this species here soon.
One of the first birds seen this morning was a single juvenile Stonechat in an Elder, a species I expected to see here.  A very distinctive juvenile with lots of white mottling on its mantle and head and with a little red on its flanks.

Stonechat (juvenile) Bodney, Norfolk 2nd August

Several Whitethroats (8+) were seen, this included an adult and several juvenile birds, also 4+ Blackcaps present (males, female, and juvenile birds).
Several Linnets (7+) seen, these comprised an adult male and juvenile birds.
Also of note here was at least 8 Stock Doves and 1 Swallow.