Common Whitethroat at Red Bank. Red Bank never lets us down! (Mike Watson)
MY FIRST COMPLETE SEPTEMBER LIST on the BTO’s BirdTrack along the river at Ribchester only just broke 40 species despite going slow and checking every bird, even scanning into the distance! It can be hard work at times but I appreciate being able to see birds like Little Egrets, Kingfishers and Tree Sparrows just a few minutes from my back doorstep. Alexander even found the first Little Egret today himself, he’s coming along regularly now. Notable sightings today included 8 Meadow Pipits flying south, they have started to move now and a gorgeous Common Whitethroat in the dell at Red Bank. A pair of oystercatchers was the first for a while but no Sand Martins were around today, maybe they have gone now? I am looking forward to what the rest of the autumn will bring. I am hoping to find an uncommon migrant in the willows along the river, let’s see what it will be.
Little Egrets on the River Ribble by Ribchester School (Mike Watson)