01-Oct-20: Female Peregrine out on the moor this morning

https://twitter.com/robinmmorrison/status/1311672110230708224?s=20

I parked in front of the gate near the North Drain Bridge in Totney Drove for just over an hour. Feeding on the ground and going to the distant gate and horizontal rusty poles were 4 juvenile Northern Wheatears. This was a very popular area for birds. The Wheatears were chasing off male & female stonechats that were often visiting and using the same posts. They were also joined by a Mipit, as well as a Pied Wagtail. When they left a flock of around 20+ Goldfinches sat in the adjoining bush. Then a GS Woodpecker landed on the post.
In the distance I could see 2 Kingfishers on the North Drain Bridge. Four Cattle Egrets flew over, then a Kestrel and a distant Heron. As I pulled out the Gate A Whinchat landed. Some photo’s below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50394176093/in/datetaken/
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50394864526/in/datetaken/

In Jack’s Drove There were 3 Kingfishers on the same gate in the far distance. They all had their backs to me. I should of picked up the camera instead of the binoculars because as soon as I did one of them was off. The photo only shows the two. One of the Kingfishers dived for a fish and flew towards me and landed on the much nearer post. I was very privileged to see 5 different Kingy’s on the Moor in late morning. On my way home I counted 37 Cattle Egret with the Cows. A fabulous Morning of such alot to see.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50395074652/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50394901826/in/datetaken/

On Sunday, 1 whinchat seen, 3 Northern Wheatears, 1 Kestrel, 4 Buzzards and 1 Female Kingfisher (Could of been 2 if it was the same bird I saw 500 metres away from the other) and a big flock of 20+ Meadow Pipits.

A few Kingfisher shots.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50368468282/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50368462782/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50368460802/in/datetaken/

The Yellow Wags are still around (Late morning 11:30ish. Totney Drove where the road crosses with Bounds Rhyme. I was watching at least 6-7 Northern Wheatears that were very close and were going to the nearby gate and railings. The Wags were only visible when they would flutter around catching fly’s about 50 metres out. I estimate 5-6. I could only manage photo’s of the nearby Wheatears’. Could find no Whinchats, several buzzards around.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50312652522/in/datetaken/
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50312480816/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50312480456/in/datetaken/

Three Yellow Wagtails tagging along with Northern Wheatears and a further group of around 8-10

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50286391541/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50286391956/in/datetaken/
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50286301323/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50286302103/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50286975386/in/datetaken/

Yellow Wagtails not to be seen but 2 Juvenile Whinchats and a handsome Northern Wheatear

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50205095158
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50173910767/in/photostream/

No sign of Yellow Wags this morning but 8 Whinchat and 5 Sedge Warbler seen.

08:40 this morning 7 Juvenile Yellow Wagtails on the Road at Totney Drove near the North Drain Bridge. They were taking food off the road as I approached them in the car. They flew to the Gates and adjacent field. At one stage 5 of them on the Gate at the same time. Again chasing each other around.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50173143428/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50173949832/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50173687656/in/datetaken/

I was only saying to someone yesterday that I’ve only seen 2 Yellow Wagtails this year at Tealham Moor in early May. This morning at Jack’s Drove Just before the bridge over the “Old Ryne” down Tealam Moor Drove, washing in the puddles and taking flies off the puddles 7 Juvenile Yellow Wagtails. They were chasing each other around and very mobile going from puddle to puddle. This was around 08:15 this morning. Also further down Tealam Moor Drove were 2 Juvenile Whinchats. Too far away to take a photo.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50154540303/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50154537658/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50154538973/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/50154540533/in/datetaken/
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