Autumn migration is really underway now, with large numbers of Spotted Flycatchers, and Redstarts on the Downs, although there are still none down around us yet. The local Little Owl finally put in an appearance, having been absent all year, much to my chagrin, and our first rarity of the autumn, a Red-backed Shrike, lured us to Shoreham on Monday. A return to long walks after a pretty lethargic summer.
So that was summer, then.
July was a damp squib, with pretty horrible weather every weekend. That coincided with the birding midsummer doldrums, so moths and butterflies took centre stage.
A few autumn migrants are trickling though the downs now, but until today there was nothing to speak of at home, but a glance out of the window this afternoon found a Turtle Dove sitting in a bush behind the garden. That’s only the third we’ve had at home, and a bird that gorgeous is always welcome.