The Rise of the Patch Year List

I managed to add another bird to the patch Year List on Saturday with a vocal Yellowhammer calling low over the SSSI. Yellowhammer is an annual but scarce bird at Wanstead and this was only my 4th record, but there does appear to be an upturn in sightings this autumn on the Flats - maybe it's the same bird being seen or could the ploughed area of Broom fields (remnants of last summers grass fires) actually be of benefit for feeding Buntings in general?

The patch year list has now hit the heady heights of 107 and is a new personal high - not bad for someone who struggles to find just a few hours a week to fit in patch birding around a busy work and home life!

There was also a little bit of visible migration with c500 Woodpigeon (mostly south), 47 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 8 Skylark, 20 Chaffinch, 2 Redpoll and a Siskin. Added into that mix was a showy pair of Stonechats which have been knocking around the Flats for a couple of weeks now (every chance they'll winter) and it was another enjoyable few hours of local birding.