Bird news for August 2008

August 16th

Despite appearing very quiet with few birds on the move, there were still some notable records this morning. Three Yellow-legged Gulls (two adults and a 2cy) were in fields in the north of the recording area with 187 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Green Sandpiper was present for much of the morning on Penny Pasture Common, before it left east at 10:10h. Another Tree Pipit was heard moving south-east and very high over Eakring Flash at 07:27h.

August 19th

Still very little moving through the area at the moment, but a Tree Pipit was at Penny Pasture Common, till it flew off south-east at 10:10h. No gulls present in any of the fields this morning and there were fewer warblers around all sites visited.

Despite still very few birds moving through, there were some significant signs of migration this morning, with two Green Sandpipers at Eakring Flash till they flew off south-west at 07:45h. The first Snipe of the Autumn was at Penny Pasture Common and 35 Tree Sparrows were at Tug Bridge Farm.

Soon afterwards, a Whinchat (only the second this year) was found newly arrived, along a hedgerow north of Eakring Flash, before relocating nearer the flash and then lost from view. More Tree Pipits as well this morning, with a group of three south over Eakring Flash at 07:59h.

Yellow-legged Gulls today, included an adult south and an adult and a 2cy in fields in the Red Hill area and there were single Common Buzzards at Lound Wood, Hare Hill Wood and six together over Red Hill mid-morning.

August 23rd

A Hobby was at Eakring Flash briefly this morning and was the first record for the year. Increased numbers of the commoner warblers around Eakring Flash and Eakring Meadows, but the morning was generally extremely quiet.

Very quiet again this morning, but a Common Crossbill flew north over Lound Wood at 07:25h.

Good numbers of Chiffchaffs were in the area, with ten alone in with a mixed group of warblers at Eakring Flash, which also consisted of two Willow Warblers and two Whitethroat.

A Whinchat was the only bird of note at Penny Pasture Common and a return visit to Eakring Flash saw the first Spotted Flycatcher of the Autumn moving quickly through the pastures area, towards Eakring village.

Common Buzzards today included two at Penny Pasture Common and one over Red Hill late morning.

August 29th

A Yellow-legged Gull was in fields east of Eakring Flash with c700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Penny Pasture Common (per Robin Brace)

August 30th

A Redstart was in the Hawthorns on Penny Pasture Common, Eakring Meadows this morning, but very elusive and only seen once. In the same area were good numbers of Chiffchaffs, a single Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat. The only warblers at Eakring Flash were two Chiffchaffs and a Lesser Whitethroat.

An adult Yellow-legged Gull was in fields north of the recording area near Wellow, whilst there was an obvious increase in the number of Black-headed Gulls going through. A juvenile female Peregrine was in fields at Park Farm mid-morning, before flying off east over Hare Hill Wood.

Some signs of migration today, with several groups of Swallows through south and south-east.

August 31st

The Redstart was again at Penny Pasture Common, favouring the hedge along the northern boundary fence, but was extremely elusive again. Fewer warblers in that area this afternoon, but there were two Snipe on the small pool there. Four Chiffchaffs present around Eakring Flash, with a Wheatear in fields at the northern-end.

Eakring Bird news
August 2008
Featuring news and sightings from Eakring