Behind again

Oh bugger! A long time since the last post again, just way too much going on. So, in summary, briefly:

On Sunday 11th a failed bid at Ring Ouzel at Latchmoor Bottom in the morning, but a male Hen Harrier and my first Redwings of the autumn (103 in all). Then watched my son get a bronze in a fencing comp before a very satisfying first match of the indoor cricket season, which saw me captain the third team to victory against the second team (smug doesn't come close). All of which left me with no energy and little time (and little inclination I'm ashamed to say) to go for the Long-billed Dowitcher which showed up at Blashford in the afternoon. Not a county tick, seen hundreds before and I've sort of abandoned the year list, so it was lazy time.

Tanners Lane on 14th October produced an Osprey, a Merlin and a singing Woodlark.

And then a dismal vis mig at Barton on 16th was followed by a much better one on 17th, with pride of place going to 821 Goldfinches east, with smaller numbers including 86 Pied Wagtails, 55 Meadow Pipits, 23 Siskins, 47 Jackdaws, 33 Greenfinches and 6 Lesser Redpolls. Later than day singles of Hobby and Merlin and 2 Crossbills were seen over Sway (the later species has featured a few times in recent days).

Which is pretty much up to date, and now my focus is very much on Kenya, for which I depart in 2 days time. It's very hard to concentrate on much else knowing that I'll be watching White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, White-crowned Shrike and the like by the weekend.

8:35 PM - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - post comment