Buzzard Bonanza...

A visit to the patch this morning for four hours,saw a good number of Common Buzzards moving along the valley in ideal conditions,with at least 25 seen,which included 1 group of 10 birds.This was great to see and it looks like it has been another good breeding season for this superb raptor species.In the days when i first started birding Common Buzzard was a county rarity and required a written description,how things have changed!.Other sightings of the avian variety included my first local Merlin of the autumn watched chasing a Meadow Pipit but to no avail,the Mip escaping just in time,2 Green Sandpiper,the solitary male Stonechat still near the railway crossing and a couple of juv. Marsh Harriers.There was still a few warblers hanging on with single Chiffchaff,2 juv. Whitethroat and 2 Blackcap seen and a few groups of Swallow and House Martins.Insect sightings included 4 species of butterfly and 3 species of dragonfly.A nice few hours on the patch.