West Hyde

Another afternoon visit in sunny mild conditions provided the following species of note:-
Red Kite (4), Common Buzzard (6), Eurasian Hobby (3), Common Stonechat (1).
The immature Common Stonechat remains and was present on the hedge line busily catching insects. It was a good day for Raptors with Common Buzzard and Red Kite showing well overhead. Above the stubble field three Eurasian Hobby were busily hunting dragonflies and were present throughout my visit.
A few puddles remain along the footpath and it was near these that a Common Darter Dragonfly showed long enough for me to photograph.

  

25-09-15 West Hyde

An afternoon visit provided the following species of interest:-
Red Kite (3), Common Buzzard (1), Common Kestrel (1), Eurasia Sparrowhawk (1), Stock Dove (c20), Woodpigeon (c200), Common Stonechat, Common Linnet (100+), Yellowhammer (4), Reed Bunting (1).
While following the footpath adjacent the quarry road a single immature Common Stonechat was observed in the hedge hunting insects although distant. Out on the fields a large mobile flock of 100+ Common Linnet were nervously feeding amongst the stubble and were flushed by a hunting Eurasian Sparrowhawk.

Bedfont Lakes Country Park and Virginia Water

A late morning visit to Bedfont Lakes Country Park in unsettled conditions provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan (2 pairs with well grown cygnets), Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose (2), Gadwall, Mallard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Buzzard (1), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Green Woodpecker (immature), House Martin, Barn Swallow, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff (5), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, European Goldfinch.
I then visited Virginia Water early afternoon where two Eurasian Hobby were observed hawking insects above the cafe. Shortly after two Common Buzzard performed overhead for several minutes.

 

Maple Lodge Nature Reserve & Lynsters Farm

An afternoon visit in unsettled conditions provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe (1), Great Cormorant (2), Grey Heron (1), Gadwall (3), Mallard (19), Northern Shoveler (3), Tufted Duck (4), Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (2), Common Moorhen (7), Eurasian Coot (5), Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove (20 Lynsters Farm), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (4), Common Kingfisher (2), Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff (3), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw (120 Lynsters Farm), Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch.
Several Common Darter dragonflies emerged during brief periods of sunshine.

                                                       Common Darter (male).

                                                           Common Darter (female).

Stockers Lake, Bury Lake & Stockers Farm

A late morning visit to conduct a wetland bird survey at Stockers Lake & Bury Lake provided the following species:-
Great Crested Grebe (16), Great Cormorant (9), Little Egret (4), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (36), Domestic Greylag Goose (1), Hybrid Canada/Greylag Goose (1), Canada Goose (56), Gadwall (7), Common Teal (1), Mallard (36), Northern Shoveler (3), Common Pochard (18), Tufted Duck (60), Red Kite (1), Common Kestrel (1), Common Moorhen (8), Eurasian Coot (325), Black-headed Gull (50), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (20 mobbing Red Kite), Common Kingfisher (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Barn Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff (7), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook (6 over), Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch.
At Stockers Farm two Whinchat were present on the non grazed part of the once flooded field.

09-09-15 Black Park Country Park

A morning visit in overcast, mild conditions provided the following species:-
Mute Swan (2), Greylag Goose (1), Canada Goose (2), Egyptian Goose (2), Mallard (41), Tufted Duck (10), Mandarin Duck (2), Common Moorhen (4), Eurasian Coot (17), Black-headed Gull (10), Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Mistle Thrush (16), Blackcap, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher (1), Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Starling.
What I think was an invasion of Mistle Thrush from northern Europe were all observed feeding on a recently sown field adjacent Pinewood Road. At the heathland area a single Spotted Flycatcher was observed hunting insects from a large Oak.

West Hyde

Another late afternoon visit provided the following specis of interest:-
Red Kite (2), Common Buzzard (3), Common Kestrel (1), Stock Dove (7 over), Northern Wheatear (2), Whinchat (6 confirmed but possibly up to 8), Reed Bunting (1).
Walking my usual route along the footpath adjacent the quarry road produced the Northern Wheatear feeding amongst the oilseed stubble.  At the mixed plantation just inside the Buckinghamshire border I confimed 6 Whinchat busily feeding on insects. Due to their busy nature, constantly flying from one bush to another between feeding bursts, there may even have been up to 8 birds.