I agree I have not heard or seen many willow warblers this spring , another summer migrant struggling?
Willow Warblers:
What do folks think of Willow Warbler numbers this year ? I get out and about quite a bit in locations I'd expect WWs, but this year I've not heard/seen as many. What are numbers like for you ?
An unseasonal Siskin flew over Barnard's Green, Malvern this lunch time.
Female RED-BACKED SHRIKE at Lower Smite Farm on private land on the 10th July - one that I have still to connect with for the county
That is a fantastic record! To put it in context - I'm guessing it is probably the first JULY record in Worcestershire for about 50 years. IIRC the last confirmed breeding record was 1962 (British Camp, Malvern), followed by just a few more sporadic spring/summer records during the 1960's (including the Kidderminster heaths in the early '60's and Upton Warren 1966), followed by only 3 or so records in the 1970's, a spring bird in May 1986 and a mere smattering of autumn juvs since then. I was fortunate enough to see the Upton warren juvenile on 3rd October 1999. B B B B
Think the last Worcs record was at Wilden when we were out of county twitching the Brown Shrike at Flamborough Head?
Yes - I remember going for it the next morning but no sign. People who saw that bird said it had even set up a food cache ("larder"). I would've loved to have seen that as it's behaviour that's not easy to see in the UK these days.
Was going to post this on the Croome thread but it said that it was 200 days old so was not allowed.
Had a family day out at Croome today. In the garden there was a spotted flycatcher.
Then as we walked around the lake had the pleasure of watching 2 Hobbies hunting over the lake. On several occasions they came within a few meters. Watched them for about 30 minutes before it started to rain. Previously only seen them for a brief few seconds it was a breathtaking experience.
Flushed 2 Woodcock on path leading from old hide in the woods on the north side of the hill. Both birds were about 6ft to right of path close up to hedgerow in leaf litter and bracken...and flew through/over the hedge to open field.
Treecreeper and Bullfinch also present
(...and nice view of Muntjac and Roe Deer about 15 mins before)
Was that with or without your glasses Andy? :eek!: