Category: Uncategorized

Signs of Autumn

The long awaited break in the drought at last arrived in mid-August, with the cooler showery weather much appreciated. Warblers including Blackcap, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Chiffchaff were all seen busy feeding before they depart to the south.
On August 17th a family group of eight Mistle Thrush were noted and also a flock of twelve Long Tailed Tits was a good total. On the 19th a Brown Argus visited the garden and two Common Sandpipers were on the dam.
On the following day a Tree Pipit was found along the hedgerow to Browns Wood. This species breeds on Charnwood and likes rough grassland with scattered trees. It remained in the area and seemed content descending to feed in the surrounding unharvested cereal crops.
On August 21st while scything the meadow another Grass Snake was seen, indicating that there is now a good population locally. On the 23rd a White Wagtail was on the dam and 20 House Martins were over the reservoir.
After a short visit to the Knepp Wilding project in West Sussex, I returned to a more verdant Thornton, having avoided heavy local down pours. On the 30th a Green Sandpiper was at the Top End, but it had departed by the following day. Other species seen at the end of the month included 9 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 3 Ravens, 35 Rooks and a Cetti’s Warbler.
September has commenced with more showery weather, as the avian change over gains momentum. A single Greenshank headed west on the 1st and large flocks of hirundines started to congregate over the reservoir.
On September 4th I estimated 450 Swallows, 50 House Martins and 30 Sand Martins. Two Hobbys and a Swift were also recorded. Geese numbers have also increased with 200 Canadas and a similar number of Greylags frequenting the fields and reservoir.
On the following day two Great White Egrets flew low over the carpark before heading off west. Also on this sunny day another Humming Bird Hawk Moth was in the garden and my fifth Clouded Yellow was nectaring on the lawn. It has certainly been a record year for both these species, more likely to be encountered on a trip to France or Iberia.
My first Webs count is to be completed on September 13th and it will be a daunting task to count the geese and especially the growing numbers of Mallard. I am however anticipating some bird highlights over the peak migration season, and look forward to reporting on them in the next edition.

Andy Smith 08/09/2026

Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Thornton..very partial to perennial Salvia plants.

Copyright Gillatphotography