Autumn movements at Salford Priors

Can't beat a Wheatear on your patch

Wheatear

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Ruff

Greylag flock

Pophills early

Two visits to the pits at the weekend with first being when I returned from Hampshire. The best bird discovered was a female Ruff feeding on one of the central islands.

On Sunday John & I did a comprehensive check on the whole site. A Common Sandpiper was on Pophills before crossing over to the main pit. Whilst the Ruff has moved on a Dunlin had arrived and the wildfowl included a drake Pintail, 12 Wigeon & 23 Shoveler. Also recorded was 2 Snipe and a flock of 300 House Martin & a single Sand Martin. When we were on the south lagoons the first of two Golden Plover circled above and continued to do so. A true sign we have reached Autumn. 

Three Wheatear were showing very well in the Old Workings, a species I never tire of. Late morning a Greenshank went through high, another 80 House Martins, a Grey Wagtail, Peregrine & 80 Meadow Pipits.