Twenty bird species recorded in the Cemy this morning.

Sunday 17th October 2021.

A pleasant Autumn walk in the Cemy with Scruff.

Scruff got his walk this morning around Highland Road Cemetery and although it was grey day, it was fairly bright and mild. At this time of year, there is always a chance of something exciting lurking about the Cemy, like a Yellow-browed Warbler or Black Redstart, but there was nothing that really set the heart racing here this morning. Nevertheless, there was up to 20 species noted on my walk, both heard and seen.

This Carrion Crow was sporting a bit of leaf litter it threw up in the air!

A few Field Mushrooms were growing in the grassy areas between the graves. The only other fungi I found this morning were the clumps of Honey Fungus growing at the base of a Beech Tree. 

A flock of 7 Linnets flew west and other finches noted included a flock of 20+ Goldfinch in the north-east corner and a few Greenfinch amongst them too. Several Pied Wagtails flew over and a Grey Wagtail was heard only, somewhere north of the Cemy. Surprisingly, there was no Goldcrests seen or heard, but a single Chiffchaff was heard calling (though not seen). No raptors or Woodpeckers were seen either, which was disappointing, but mostly the common birds that is to be expected here at this time of year. The only thrushes seen were a juvenile Blackbird (possibly a migrant) and two Song Thrushes, which also could be migrants.

One of at least four Jays within the Cemetery. 

Goldfinches high up in one of the trees in the north-east corner. 

Jays seemed to be all over the place with at least 4 birds seen within the Cemy, but nothing unusual really regarding the bird life this morning here. The only butterfly seen was a single Red Admiral fluttering past me and heading west over the Cemy. Even Hoverflies were scarce, though I did find one Ivy bush attracting the likes of Myathropa florea and a Marmalade Hoverfly. There were also plenty of Common Wasps buzzing about the bushes.

This juvenile Blackbird was most likely a migrant bird.

Myathropa florea hoverfly enjoying the Ivy plants.

I noticed some interesting news on the various Bird sites that included a sighting of a Richard’s Pipit seen and heard flying over Farlington Marshes early afternoon. I have yet to see one in Hampshire, though we did get superb views of the Sidlesham bird last winter. The Pectoral Sandpiper was still on Oxey Marshes this morning and it reported that the Western Sandpiper was also seen! The Ring Ouzel at Leaden Hall, New Forest, was again on show along with a ‘ringtail’ Hen-harrier nearby over the heath. The Purple Heron was again in its favourite field at Pagham and both an Arctic and Great Skua flew past Selsey Bill this morning. I wonder if I will catch up with these two species this year?