Lockdown - Day 156; Where are the migrants?

Week 33; 14 August 2020 - Pivot Fields

Early morning temperatures are slowly becoming more bearable as we head toward autumn. Once again, I was back to the Pivots after a hectic work week, still working from home.

Just inside the gate, there was a White-throated Kingfisher on the overhead line

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

I headed to the marsh, as the Warblers are most active just after sunrise - but not quite as much this morning. A few Savi's were still present and to me these are pretty cool Warblers.

Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides)

A young Caspian Reed Warbler was in the mix too

Caspian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. fuscus)

The 'Bumble Bee' flight shot of the male Yellow-crowned Bishop is still eluding me, but I will persevere

Yellow-crowned Bishop (Euplectes afer)

At the back of the marsh adjacent to one of the fields, I had a single Great Reed

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Along with an Indian Reed

Indian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. brunnescens)

A few Western Yellow Wagtails were foraging in the freshly cut grass on the field next to the marsh

Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Sand Martin's alternated between foraging above the marsh and then over the fields together with the Barn Swallows

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

A couple of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters had a fly by - most times you hear them before you see them

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)

Driving to the smaller and more open pool, I flushed this Black Kite that took off with its prey - looks like a Dove

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Green Sandpiper's were the predominant wader at this pool, I love their diagnostic call

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

Here a Wood Sandpiper in flight for comparison

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

However the bird of the morning were these Caspian Plover's, that were quite obliging

Caspian Plover (Anarhynchus asiaticus)

Leaving the farm, a European Roller on the overhead line, seemed to be contemplating whether to join the assortment of waders for a drink. Not the most flattering angle for this good looking bird

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Lockdown - Day 150

Week 32; 08 August 2020 - Pivot Fields

Another early morning session to the Pivots where I arrived at 6am, as the gates opened. As usual, I headed to the marsh for a walk around the reedbeds. 

Warblers were calling, but didn't show as they did yesterday, possibly as it was a little more windy. I did catch this juvenile Indian Reed Warbler as it moved low down through the reeds. I managed to get the 'jump' shot this time

Indian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. brunnescens)

Near the car, I had at least two Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins which are always great to see

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes)

Moving on, I checked the area where I had found Egyptian Nightjar's previously and again there were quite a few birds present. A few close to the road flushed when I got out the car, so I managed some in-flight images.

Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius)

I then found another close to the road that I could photograph from my car and it stayed put after I drove off. If you look closely in the last profile image, you will see my car reflected in it's pupil - pretty cool

Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius)

Driving to the Redshank pool, a Black-winged Kite took flight from the overhead lines.

Black-winged Kite (Elanus c. vociferus)

At the pool, again there were Little Ringed Plovers

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

White-tailed Lapwing

Juvenile White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)

And Ruff flying in and out

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

A Western Yellow Wagtail took exception to a Barn Swallow coming to drink from the pool and there was some mid-air interaction

Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla f. flava) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Whilst this one foraged quietly next to my car

Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

The Black-crowned Sparrow-Larks foraged between the Alfalfa in the field next to my car.

Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix nigriceps)

I then headed for a last drive around the farm and was rewarded with a European Roller

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

However this Crested Honey Buzzard in heavy moult as it laboured heavily over the farm was unexpected and the highlight of the morning. I expected it to drop down to drink at the pool, but it continued overhead without stopping which was a surprise. But a really great bird to end the morning.

Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)