An Even Slower Update Post

I would like to blame work for the long delay since last I posted, really I would.


What's worse, I don't have time to go into things in deserved detail either [oh, stop cheering].



Let's see...  Last week.

Friday I got to the Nose first thing, where migrants were moving - mostly Mipits and finches overhead with a few Swallows [going north still...]. Chiffs and Blackcaps in the bushes, yadda yadda. A few Small Coppers were on the wing, as was a female Emperor. Star moment came with a low flock of 11 Crossbills - which as I was admiring them suddenly became 10 as a passing Peg snatched one with insouciant ease! Ho-ly shit...
The rest of the Patch and day had no noteworthy additions after that.


Saturday saw a strong late afternoon passage of Swallows over my place - they seemed to be dropping out of the clouds. And yes, still heading the wrong way!



Sunday morning first thing at the Nose saw Chiffs heavily outnumber Blackcaps, with pipits and wagtails passing overhead. At least one Tripit among them.


Most of the day was taken with an outing to Prawle with the Folks and staying rellytives. My aunt [who is quite birdy] needed Cirl for Britain, so where else to go?

The sun shone but the wind blew, and the pesky buntings evidently had had word of our mission, as they were very elusive. Plenty of glimpses and calls, but no TVs until we got past Horseley, when all of a sudden a nice male popped up, and then it rained Cirls! Score.

At least 8 Wheatears were also very welcome, with 31+ Oyks, a Ringo, and a Dunlin on the shore and large numbers of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in the bushes. The sea was unsurprisingly very quiet [I counted 3 Gannets while we had lunch..] and too rough for cetaceans to be obvious, but the scenery was its usual gorgeous self and much appreciated by all.


A final coffee stop on the sheltered slope below the car park was notable for at least 5 Clouded Yellows fluttering about [and often clashing], and House Martins took over from Swallows overhead. Finally, a Migrant Hawker patrolled the car park clearing itself.


No Wrynecks or shrikes, alas, but we didn't get to Pig's Nose, so who knows? [Sorry]


Coal Tits continue to snaffle sunflower seeds  :D  but a couple of Feral Pigs have noticed and started hanging around. Hmm.


Next update should be more timely.





NB.
That harrier sp. TM saw will have flown past behind us, as we were having lunch at Horseley at the time.

BUGGER!