BIRDS AT NORTH FAMBRIDGE
343
9th. Whimbrel passing eastwards as usual every night. A Spotted Fly-
catcher was roosting in the hedge and was undisturbed by the strong light
of my torch. 11th. A Spotted Flycatcher about the farm. 12th. I saw
a hen Sparrow-Hawk fly past, the first for many months. 21st. Several
Whimbrel flew out of the marsh, heading N.E. at dusk. 26th. Blackcap
singing in the garden. Whimbrel still here. 30th. There are 24 Swallows'
nests around the farm sheds. There is a general scarcity of migrant species
here.
June 1st. A Garden-Warbler seen twice in the garden. 5th. 37 Curlew
in close flight flying east at 8 p.m. 11th. Two pairs of Bullfinches feeding
on Myosotis seed most of the day just outside the house. Flocks of
5,000-10,000 Starlings leave the thicket and head south-west every evening
—most unusual for the time of year. 12th. Many Swifts and a score of
House-Martins feeding behind the tree windbreak. Great Tit and Blue
Tit broods on the wing today. 18th. I saw a fully-fledged young Cuckoo
resting on some rails about three miles from here. 20th. Young Swallows
on the wing today. 21st. I saw a Kestrel fly off with a young bird in its
claws. There are at least three Kestrel nests within a mile. 22nd. Two
Herons flew into the marsh this evening—the first for a year or two. A
large flight of Curlew on the marsh. 25th. Blackcaps have reared a fine
brood near the orchard. Many fledgelings of Swallows, Wrens, Blue Tits
and Greenfinches on the wing. 26th. Two pairs of Spotted Flycatchers
on the farm. I am pleased that I cannot locate their nests, as they usually
nest in a conspicuous spot and get destroyed by Tawny Owls.
July 2nd. Chiffchaffs in song at Althorne: they do not usually nest there.
I watched, at a distance of seven feet, a Song-Thrush move off her chicks
for her mate to feed them, and then move back. 4th. A flight of 108
Curlew in the marsh. Thrushes' nests are being robbed of young, as usual,
by Magpies or Tawny Owls. 14th. Four Swallow fledgelings spent the
night on the H.T. wires. 15th. Again five young Swallows roosted on the
H.T. wires in the open all night. 20th. A brood of Spotted Fly-
catchers on the wing today. 24th. The Whimbrel are back again already.
25th. Several House-Martins' nests in the village—more than for many
years past. 26th. Oyster-catchers passing over at night. 27th. Willow-
Warbler in full song at 8 a.m.
August 1st. Several unidentified Warblers with canary-yellow breasts in
the garden. The southward movement is already on. 3rd. A Greenshank,
calling overhead at considerable height, on hearing my answering whistle,
glided round several times and continued to answer my whistle until well
over a mile away. 6th. Bullfinch family eating Honeysuckle berries in
the garden. 7th. The largest flock of Curlew I have seen for years, I
estimated at over 500. A Sand-Martin flying over the marsh. Willow-
Warbler in full song. 14th. Five Yellow Wagtails feeding round the
tethered bull. Some Swifts still here. 20th. Greenshanks passing over
regularly. 21st. Lesser Whitethroats and Willow-Warblers passing south-
ward fast. A Tree-Creeper here today—a rarity nowadays. 22nd. Several
Whimbrel passed over at night. 27th. Chiffchaff in song passing south
today. A Swift in company with a large flight of Swallows moving south
at 7 p.m. Swallows passing southwards at a great height in the moonlight
at 9 p.m. 30th. Chiffchaffs in song. Greenshanks calling frequently in
the marsh. Swallows massing every evening now. They must have had
a very successful breeding season with the continuous sunshine and warmth.
September 1st. Chiffchaff singing early today. Several hundred Swallows
drifting south in the late evening. 8th. Spotted Flycatcher feeding young
around the farm hedges. The Swallows and House-Martins are enjoying
the glorious weather which has prevailed here since the last week in June.