A bracing walk this morning on the patch as the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo blow through the UK. Needless to say most birds were keeping their heads down and were well into cover. There is still an issue with the algae on the Tarn although today the western end was clear but the eastern end was still thickly covered.
Given the high mortality amongst Geese and Ducks this year due to the avian botulism which has flourished as a result of the algal cover, I was most suprised to record a record number of Moorhen on the lake. Looking back, my counts for the last couple of trips have been high too which suggests that despite the conditions and problems they have had a very good breeding year. This is so much in marked contrast to the other waterbirds.
The little Grebe is still present although now well on the way to winter plumage and much changed from when he/she arrived 2 months ago.
Photo taken today
Photo taken in August
The numbers of Ring-necked parakeets are beginning to climb particularly parties travelling into the roost site (about 2 miles away) in the evening, but also during the day the parties hanging around the garden are increasing in size. I like the picture below as it is the first I have managed to take which shows the rose coloured ring on the neck which gives them their alternate name of Rose-Ringed Parakeet.
Th weather has changed and, even allowing for the passage of ex-Hurricane Gonzalo, the weather is becoming cooler and wetter as we slip into autumn. Also the autumnal colours are beginning to show on the bushes.
In the afternoon, a long awaited event happened when a female House sparrow made a brief visit to the feeder station (My first record of this species on patch for over 14 years) along with a visit by a Red Fox
Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)
Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)
Eurasian Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)
Common Pigeon [sp] (Columba livia)
Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)
Rose-ringed Parakeet [sp] (Psittacula krameri)
Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)
Western Jackdaw [sp] (Coloeus monedula)
Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)
Great Tit [sp] (Parus major)
Eurasian Blue Tit [sp] (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)
European Robin [sp] (Erithacus rubecula)
House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)
Pete's Favourite Things 