Warnham Local Nature Reserve

Misty Morning at Warnham LNR

A very misty and autumnal morning greeted us this morning with another frost and no chance of seeing much by way of visible migration as we couldn't even see the millpond! The only bird seen was a Kingfisher in front of the Tern Hide as seen in the photo. Eventually the warm autumn sun burnt off the mist and immediately exposed lots of overhead migration with Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Redwing, Fieldfare, Starling, Chaffinch and Goldfinch all moving over in a westerly or south-westerly direction.

Wes noted a fly-over Hawfinch later afternoon and whilst locking up the gates in the evening a single Lapwing flew over calling heading northwards and a Tawny Owl was calling from the Millpond Plantation. The warm sunshine brought the raptors out in force with Red Kite, Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk all putting appearances in during the day. It was a quiet day on the ringing front but always nice to catch a few Lesser Redpoll.

Lesser Redpoll

Totals from the day are below:

Mute Swan 1, Greylag Goose 122, Canada Goose 2, Teal 17, Mallard 37, Shoveler 2, Tufted Duck 8, Pheasant 2, Cormorant 7, Little Egret 1, Grey Heron 4, Little Grebe 3, GC Grebe 2, Red Kite 1, Sparrowhawk 2, Common Buzzard 2, Water Rail 1, Moorhen 4, Coot 1, LAPWING 1 (Over N at 6.15pm), BH Gull 30+, H Gull 40+, LBB Gull 1, Feral Pigeon 4, Stock Dove 9 (Over SW), Woodpigeon 1813 (Over SW), Tawny Owl 1, Kingfisher 2, Green Woodpecker 1, GS Woodpecker 1, Magpie 6, Jay 3, Carriow Crow 6, Jackdaw 121, Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit 20+, Great Tit 15+, Marsh Tit 1, Coal Tit 4, Long-tailed Tit 14, Wren 4, Starling 226 (Over SW), Blackbird 6, Fieldfare 27 (Over W), Redwing 83 (Over W), Song Thrush 14, Robin 7, Dunnock 3, Grey Wagtail 1, Chaffinch 8, HAWFINCH 1 (Over W per WA), Goldfinch 7, Greenfinch 2 and Lesser Redpoll 21.

Migrant Hawker 3, Common Darter 1

Red Admiral 3

Warnham Millpond at Dusk