Friday 15 April 2011

A New Tree Pipit arrived at Dalton Crags also Wheatear

(Please click over sketches to enlarge) From Dalton hamlet side of Dalton Road to Trig via the Crags (0945hrs to 1230hrs), on this side going up there where another three Willow Warblers whilst climbing up, then on reaching clearing area there was another four WWs and one Chiffchaff and one Blackcap. Went up through Dalton Crags (Whittington side) of Plain Quarry Car Park and there was a new Tree Pipit, singing and also displaying on territory. Walked through woods area and then up through deforested to the Trig, on way up there was the Tree Pipit which arrived last week who now seems to have got a mate. There is still at least a further pair of Tree Pipits to arrive! Had 3 Wheatears on the wall near to the Trig, the all looked like males, but two were in superb plumage. I took them to be European Wheatear, they looked of standard size and did not bear any signs of more upright stance as would the "Greenlands." Crossing over to the North West on migration was 2 Redpoll and 6 Meadow Pipits (all singles), plus there was a Mipit blogging party of 10 birds. Also there was at least four Willow Warblers, with two more singing close to the Trig Point. I came down after leaving the deforested and went past the charcoal burners towards Dalton Road, on way down and just past the burners I had a new Chiffchaff singing and also another new one singing quite close to the old "summer house" ruins, also a further four Willow Warblers in this area. Also Goldcrest singing. Also Wood Anemone, 2 Squirrels, and 2 Roe Deer. Not a bad morning!