Early September 2017

A mixed start to the month with both sunshine and rain, however, quite a few Sand Martins still zipping around both North and South Brooks with far fewer House Martins mixed in. Greylag and Canada goose numbers increasing along with many more Teal, Shoveler and a few Pintail. The fence line behind Adder Alley has had at least three Spotted Flycatchers, two Lesser Whitethroats and perhaps five Chiffchaff. At the Hanger on the 5th - two Ruff, two Black-tailed Godwits, and one each of Dunlin, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper. A female Marsh Harrier put to flight at least fifteen Snipe that were previously out of sight. At Nettleys hide an odd bunch of Stonechat has been around made up of three males, one female and a very spotty juvenile. Also on the 5th, the willow bush to the left of the hide held about 30 Goldfinch a Common Whitethroat and a bright male Redstart.