Aylburton Warth

Sunday 9th September 2012
Wheatear (first-winter)
A stunning sunny morning at Aylburton Warth produced a modest selection of birds, but this Wheatear provided a nice photo opportunity (above). 
Aylburton Warth, looking across The Severn towards Oldbury
The main highlights were a total of five Wheatears (mostly first-winters), three Yellow Wagtails, 20+ Goldfinches, mainly juvs, three Skylarks including a recently-fledged bird, c20 Meadow Pipits, also several juv birds, two Chiffchaffs, three Buzzards, and a Stock Dove. Hoverflies included three Helophilus trivittatus (below). Oh, and a Brown Hare.
Helophilus trivittatus - the yellow face, with no black stripe, is a good ID feature

 - a very photogenic hoverfly - great patterns and elegant shape, set off nicely against the Ragwort flowers
Two Souther Hawkers were in the garden (below) today, also a Common Darter.
Southern Hawker

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