Mixed Seasonal flavours!

 There are good numbers of Mistle Thrush around the village. The most I have counted is 15. Perhaps they have had 2 or even 3 broods.

 Plenty of insects are still enjoying the warm weather. Several Hornets were seen today as well as this Southern Hawker.

Stonechat Bagworth Heath.

It was nice to find a probable first winter Stonechat at Bagworth Heath today.(25/9/14)

 Hopefully after this excellent breeding season this species might be making a recovery.

 It had selected a typical area of habitat for this species, scrub thorn bushes over an area of rough grassland.

 Also at Thornton recently there has been a flock of up to 15 Mistle thrush, 54 Meadow Pipit and 2 Kingfishers.

Pintail.

 A probable juvenile Pintail was off the dam today.

 It was feeding with Mallard and up-ending close  to the dam.

 Not a species that we get very often at Thornton. September and October are the peak months for Pintail in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Also today 2 Raven, a Hobby and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.

Spotted Flycatchers.

 I caught two Spotted Flycatchers today. Both were juveniles, indicated by fresh plumage and buff tipped greater coverts.

 An adult would have very worn plumage.

 Spotted Flycatchers have bred in Thornton Wood this summer. An adult was seen feeding a recently fledged juvenile, so these two might be local birds.

A group of 4 Spotted Flycatchers was seen below the dam recently. They seem to have had a successful breeding season. They are now feeding up in readiness for the long migration south to Africa. Hopefully, my two juveniles will make the trip and return here next spring to breed.