A slow passage but some highlights

It feels like it's been a slow autumn passage this year at Stanborough GPs but that may also be to do with the continuing in-filling work at the pits.  Very little open water is left but just enough to retain the Mallards and a surprising number of Little Grebes (10+).

The expected passage of Wheatear peaked on 8th Sep with at least 7 birds on site and a Whinchat too.  Notable too has been the evening roost of Egyptian Geese which rose to a record 65 birds on 11th Sept - possibly a County record.  The species seems to be going from strength to strength and may well be set to overtake Greylag Geese populations.

The evening of 13th Sept saw the largest flock of Meadow Pipits this autumn with over 200 birds flying around the site and over the main field.  With just one of two birds on 11th these birds are fresh in from the north.  An additional highlight of 13th was a flyover Golden Plover that dropped down into fields south of Coopers Green Lane.

The real highlight cam yesterday evening, however, with a (presumably) returning female-type Merlin hunting over the site.  Initially perched on the track it then hunted Meadow Pipits over the large field, giving chase right into the trees towards Cromer Hyde Farm.  As I prepared to leave the site I noticed it was perched back in the field much closer and I was able to take some photos and video in the fading light.  The Merlin seemed quite dark suggesting a juvenile bird.

The same evening also saw a roosting juvenile Dunlin at the site (see title picture) and an arrival of at least 7 Mandarin Ducks to roost - absent from the site in the last month.