Peter Jones Wildlife blog

Decided to run an experiment this Autumn and moved closer to the coast for my vis-mig sessions. I decided on Badminston mainly due to it's cracking panoramic view, and fairly obvious flightpath between Lepe and the gap between Fawley Power station and the refinery. In total, I spent 26 hours(!) this Autumn watching the migration passing over my head, and although it was fairly pleasant, it never really felt *that* good! Highlights were fairly modest: a Marsh Harrier, an Osprey, and that was about it really. However, vis-mig is all about numbers and it actually performed better, on average, than my other watchpoint overlooking the Test Valley. From Trektellen: 2010 Lower Brook: 3000 birds of 47 species in 26 hours (7000 Starlings excluded from the total as they were a local movement of birds heading to evening roost. Pretty spectacular nonetheless!) 2011 Lower Brook:  2775 birds of 35 species in 15 hours 2012 Badminston: 4453 birds of 63 species in 26 hours Badminston doesn't fe

A couple of sessions of vis-mig over the weekend. Badminston is quite frustrating as it is obviously right beneath a migration flightpath.. Finches, Hirundines and Thrushes pass right over my head, and Corvids, Woodpigeons and other species all pass within recording range.. there just doesn't seem to be a great deal using the flightpath! Results from Friday 2nd November at the link below: http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp?telpost=1200 I may try an alternative survey spot North of the Fawley power station to see if more birds divert North around the refinery then across the New Forest. (Badminston catches the migration filtering between the refinery and the power station). The alternative spot would also have the advantage of being closer to Southampton Water, so birds moving along the coast would be picked up. I also ran my Sound recorder overnight on Thursday 1st November and picked up: 28 Redwings 5 Song Thrushes Plus Robin and Tawny Owl present. Finally the Kingfisher is

Quiet end to October, but a real highlight last Saturday when a Kingfisher dropped in to the Brook alongside the house. Always thought we had a slim possibility of adding Kingfisher, but I have waited over 4 years for one. Looks to have moved on after one brief glimpse, though it could still be around, further along the stream, perhaps.