Wheatear migration

Tringa · #1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 06:45 PM

Have wheatears started their migration yet?

I saw three wheatears on Wanstead Flats (east London) this morning. They are are seen now and again in this area, but just wondered if they have started moving south.

Dave

Adam Cheeseman · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 06:47 PM

Many will have already crossed the Channel. Lots along the south coast. Many passing south through suitable field type habitats.

Cheers,

Adam

Wild-Woman · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 06:58 PM

One at Wormwood Scrubs on Sunday.

earthdragon64 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 07:48 PM

I saw 3 on the Moray coast at Findhorn on Sunday, which is the 1st time I've seen them there.

Regards, Audrey.

Naturenutz · #5 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 09:26 PM

Many along the severn estuary.I would say peak numbers passing through now.Many reported all along the estuary in gloucestershire.just put some pics up on my site.

snake · #6 (**permalink**) 07-09-2011, 09:33 PM

Dozens on my patch today. I have been seeing plenty of them for the last few weeks.

Deb London · #7 (**permalink**) 08-09-2011, 05:36 AM

The London Bird Club recorded the following numbers in and around London:

July - 0 records
Aug around - 90 records
Sept around - 27 records so far

A great bird to see (imho). Glad I made it out to Wormwood Scrubs on Sunday as I had never seen it in London before.

RoyW · #8 (**permalink**) 08-09-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb London

Glad I made it out to Wormwood Scrubs on Sunday as I had never seen it in London before.

Had you previously seen Wormwood scrubs somewhere outside of London then?

Wild-Woman · #9 (**permalink**) 08-09-2011, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyW

Had you previously seen Wormwood scrubs somewhere outside of London then?

Mr Witty

Deb and I realised after the walk that we'd met and hadn't realised it too!

David Lindo and the 'Scrubbers' (what a delicate name) guided us on the walk and found the wheatear for us.

Deb London · #10 (**permalink**) 08-09-2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyW

Had you previously seen Wormwood scrubs somewhere outside of London then?

Sorry Roy - I was trying to be sensitive and construct a sentence without referring to bird, time, or porridge. I must have a screw loose. Only one brain cell some days. I stand corrected. You got me bang to rights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Mr Witty

Deb and I realised after the walk that we'd met and hadn't realised it too!

David Lindo and the 'Scrubbers' (what a delicate name) guided us on the walk and found the wheatear for us.

Yes, I kept looking at these two and thinking "I know them from somewhere". A WAB page was open on my phone as I arrived but that is a bit of a subtle clue. We need a sign or something.

Wouldn't have seen the Wheatear with my monocular. David is a very generous guy and always brings extra bins, and there were a couple of scopes to look through too. Now I know what to look for I am out most days hunting for them. I look for scrubby little bushes and areas of grass. Not found one on my own yet, but I know they must be around here somewhere.