Thrush Fall and Male Black Redstart

Usually overnight rain in autumn just makes the grass wet and gives false hope... but not today!

Ok, thrushes weren't exactly carpeting the ground like they can during the great falls on the east coast, but this morning the Axe Valley had a heck of a lot more thrushes in it than it usually does...

Three Song Thrush in this photo

 

Most of them were Blackbirds and Song Thrush.  I don't routinely count Blackbirds in the valley, so can only explain the increase by the fact I noticed far more Blackbirds than usual.  Song Thrush however, the local population has seen such a decline that on any day I would be lucky to see one - so 14 grounded birds really is something.  It was lovely to see small groups together, and all the ones I had good views of looked noticeably cold-toned and grey.   Saw a few Fieldfare and Redwing too, and there's still a few Chiffchaff and multiple Goldcrests in the bushes.

The female/first-winter Black Redstarts that I have been working alongside for the last couple of weeks were joined by a lovely adult male today.   It didn't show all that well though...

Looked even better from the back, just two massive white flashes!

The other birds have got used to me now and are allowing closer approach. Hopefully the male follows suit..

The are such great birds!

They really are enjoying the new Seaton Quay development!

Over on Black Hole Marsh the Little Stint is still with us, where I finally managed an ok photo of it...

Every day it is looking less juvenile and more grey!

Looks like we have finally seen the back of this cloud so I am hoping for a nice rush of visible migration in the morning.  Might be a bit optimistic of me but it's got to be worth a look...