Army Ornithological SocietySPTA West
Another month has flown past and summer migrants are nearing the end of their passage south. There are lots of Wheatears about on the tracks and there are still Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Winchats feeding. Goldfinches are making large flocks of up to 300 birds and there are still family groups of Stonechats. There has been quite a few troops exercising recently and I was caught up in a HCR bridge crossing as I was about to look for Fairy Shrimp; took an opportunity to get away. On Breakheart scrape there was a late pair of nesting Stone Curlew with a juvenile at the beginning of the month. On the East there were was up to 17 birds behind Bulford ranges. A Hen Harrier was reported yesterday on the Centre and I saw one a week ago at Avebury. I was on a Bee and insect walk on the Centre yesterday dodging mortar shells and finding butterflies (2 Clouded Yellow) as well as rare plants (Tuburous Thistle). On Saturday I resumed the monthly Imber Conservation Grouops walks and had a trip around Nelson's. There were lots of Swallows feeding along with the odd House Martin. Tits are forming in flocks and there are decent numbers of Linnet and Yellowhammer. There are still plenty of Meadow Pipit and Skylark about and the occasional Tree Pipit. Ringing on the Centre included a late Grasshopper Warbler as they should have gone by now. Also gone are the Montagu's Harriers on the East. This is the month that summer visitors depart and winter visitors start to arrive. I have been around the County as well adding a few more birds to my County list but not Woodchat Shrike.
Follow us:
