Autumn

An annual indicator for me is the harvesting of the Crops. I can now SEE. THIS is the start of Birding Autumn in my mind. Plenty of Summer to enjoy yet of course!

This was backed up this morning when I checked out the Pea Field that had  been harvested yesterday. The hoped for "Target Species" had arrived, with at least half-a-dozen Birds present...

Mediterranean Gull (H.77, P.99)

A run (metaphorically speaking) up the Northern end of the Village revealed a decent number of post breeding House Sparrows (78)...my first THIS YEAR! The House Martin colony is thriving this Year with the "unusual" weather and the owner informed me that they are on there third brood. Great stuff!

A cruise down Snakey produced yet another view of a Marsh Harrier (you know my suspicions) with possibly a second Bird seen briefly?

The morning finished off with a look up at Cliff Farm (surrounded by hundreds of Sand Martins) where I sneaked a juvenile Yellow Wagtail perched in the Barley briefly. A lone Oystercatcher gave itself away (eventually) with a call from the rocks below...

Surprisingly difficult to pick out

Mid-afternoon Bud needed "to go". He's a bit unpredictable these days...like me! Unfortunately the rain had set in ("good for the Garden"). As we reached one of our usually stops, I noticed a couple of Swifts low over the car...then 3 more...then more still! 21 in c20 seconds low over my head. Then no more in the next 20 minutes. It was worth the effort. Bud agreed! 

My lad turned 14 on the first of July. A remarkable age for this Species...8% reach this age apparently. My previous 3 were Shane (named after that marvellous Western with Alan Ladd) 13, Duke 8 and Rocky 10. FORTY FIVE Years of German Shepherds and counting! He's my main priority for his remaining time (apart from Louise of course!)...and he'll be my last...

My Golden Boy