Thanks to everyone who came along for the Wild about West Barns ‘migratory birds’ walk on Sunday evening. We walked around the village and discussed our urban summer migrants, noting that while the swift colony had looked fairly healthy (they have already left for Africa), there haven’t been any breeding house martins in West Barns this year (please let us know if you noticed any active nests we have missed!). Swallows and sand martins have been spotted around the edges of the village and in the wider landscape. We also made a long list of the warblers and other summer visitors that enjoy the pond and scrub habitats in West Barns (whitethroat, chiffchaff, grasshopper, sedge, garden and willow warblers and black cap). It was noted that the reed warblers had not returned this year. Lots of us have spotted the juvenile buzzard over the village in recent weeks, and noted that there is a tawny owl in residence nearby too. We also learned that this area has the most northerly population of yellow wagtails in the UK.
Thanks to Malc and Issi for setting up the ‘scope near the pond, bringing the little egrets and curlews into documentary focus, and for sharing some gorgeous moths for a closer look.
The next gathering is a short ‘wild flower’ walk, meeting at the Bowling Club at 1pm on Saturday 6th September. Come prepared with suitable outdoor clothing and footwear and bring along any refreshments you might need.