Lollingdon, 24th Aug

Overcast, 20°, freshening SW.

Another Redstart on the hill today, seen initially in the hedge to the west then later on the hill.

Several Whitethroat seen feeding on blackberries, Blackcaps feeding on elder berries and a couple of Willow Warbler and around a dozen Chiffchaff.

Met another birder up there (Peter Law) and we managed to relocate the Redstart.

A single Swift still feeding over Wantage today.

Redstart, Lollingdon Hill.

Sunny spells, 20º, light SSE.

Little around today but a Redstart in the hedgerow leading away south from the Hill, also a Chiffchaff nearby and 3 Meadow Pipit flying south.

A Great-spotted Woodpecker in the hedge to the east and the Migrant Hawker dragonfly still there.

Migration on the Hill

Lollingdon Hill 06:00 to 08:15

Sunny, 15º, light S.

An early start paid off on the hill today, visible migration evident with the following.

8 Yellow Wagtails (all flyovers), 3 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 2 Redstart, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Yellowhammers, 1 Corn Bunting. (The latter 2 being resident species).

A steady flow of Swallows, with a few House Martins all moving in a southerly direction and an unexpected surprise with 5 Sand Martins also.

A lot of “corvids”, mainly Rooks in the surrounding fields and 200+ Lesser Blackback Gulls. Also 2 Skylarks, a Kestrel, a Great-spotted Woodpecker, 8 Stock Dove.

Cholsey, 27th April

Sunny, 16º, fresh NE.

A nice ♀ Redstart found near Lollingdon along with 2 Lesser Whitethroats.

1 Wheatear on Lollingdon Hill (different bird from yesterday).

Whitethroats are very widespread, possibly the commonest warbler along with Sedge Warbler which are more habitat specific. Around 8 Sedge Warbler singing near the Lees along with 2 Reed Warblers.

House Martins prospecting last years nest site at Marymead and a few more seen over the village.

The Moorhen along the brook is having a hard time with one young taken by Carrion Crows and another by a Dog. That makes 1 left out of 3 young.

Several Mallard with ducklings seen on various brooks.

2 Grey Partridge and around 6 Red-legged Partridge seen, 5 Yellow Wagtail and 8 Swallow.

A single Hare noted.

Hedgehog in garden again this evening.

3 Large Red Damselflies seen, my first Dragonflies of the year.

Also another Red-tailed Bumblebee.

                                          Speckled Wood

                                          Dryad's Saddle