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| Sparrowhawk. For more about this bird visit the RSPB website |
It may well be the middle of summer to us, but in birding terms, Autumn starts here.
As I mentioned last month, many waders have already returned to our area from their breeding grounds further north, and their numbers will continue to build as the month continues.
Hopefully, we will also get to see some rarer species too.
In the last week or so a number of interesting wader species have been seen locally, such as Avocet, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, and Spoonbill. Recently, a Great White Egret was seen flying over Lepe towards the Isle of Wight.
Up until 15 years, only one of this species had ever been recorded in Hampshire. They are now being reported quite regularly and hopefully will one day be as familiar as their smaller relation, the Little Egret, which has colonised the UK in less than 20 years.
Other notable birds to look out for this month are Ospreys, which are preparing to return to Africa for the winter. One has been seen at Lower Test Nature Reserve at Redbridge over the past few days, plus there was also a sighting from Calshot. They tend to stick around for a few weeks during the autumn, so this is definitely the best time of the year to see them.
Looking out to sea can be rewarding too, as Terns often form large feeding flocks, which could include many different species. If the weather gets a little stormy it could push sea going birds closer to our shores, and we often get sightings of Gannets, Auks and Shearwaters at this time of the year.
Inland water can also be a feeding haven for birds. Sand Martins, Swallows, House Martins and Swifts often form large groups and can be attracted to water in search of flying insects. In turn, these birds could attract the attention of Sparrowhawks, Peregrines and Hobbies.
Swifts tend to be one of the first birds to leave us each summer so keep an eye out for them each day, as it may be the last you see of them until April or May next year.
Whereas, in the Spring, migrant birds tend to pass through our area quite quickly on the way to their breeding grounds, they now take far more time over heading south again. They will often linger for several weeks whilst they feed up ready for their long journey.
So August through to October is a great time to find rarer species that we might not normally see here, such as Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Wheatear or even something as exotic as a Wryneck, Hoopoe or Bee-Eater (one was seen flying over Needs Ore NR only last week!)
Garden birds
Apparently, so I’m told, last year was one of the best on record for the amount of berries, fruit and nuts that grew naturally in the wild, which probably explains why most gardens were very quiet for long periods of last winter. There was just too much natural food around, so birds didn’t need to supplement their diets with the food which many of us regularly put out. The birds are making up for it now though, with many birds seemingly feeding all day long.
Early reports from many of my customers suggest that this has been a successful breeding season for most garden bird species, and with all of the extra mouths to feed it is very important to continue, or restart feeding in your garden. High-energy seeds and Sunflowers are best, and these can be supplemented with fat products and household scraps.
By feeding birds now they will have a much greater chance of survival this winter, and will reward you by keeping the bugs and insect numbers down in your gardens.
Paul Matthews |
