Saturday, September 24, 2011

Woe is me...

The Swallows have gone.

Last weekend there were still 30+ in the village but none today. Late afternoon produced 15 flying strongly south overhead, but they aren't ours. It will be 15th April before they return...

Over the back field this morning were 5 Yellowhammers and a Reed Bunting were in the hedge while 2 Sandwich Terns were on the rocks in the cove. The garden still has plenty of Chiffchaff comings and goings while a male Blackcap is in the elders. A single Grey Wagtail and my first 9 Pinkfeet of the year flew south.

September has been a flop here so far with scarcely a hint of an easterly that is so well required at this time.

Oh well, maybe October will give us a.....Yellow Rumped Warbler ( ? or something with a yank accent) that is now on the Norwegian coast waiting for a cool tail wind to restart its migration...That is how Northumberland's only Red eyed Vireo arrived many moons back on Holy Island...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Stu, my feelings exactly re the Swallows. I always watch them go ,with a large tinge of regret.It's a long winter before we see them again!
Chancing upon that Vireo ,that Oct day ,is what keeps me searching!
Regards,Alan J.

Stewart said...

Yes that always comes to mind Alan.