Almost birdless

Very quiet at Staines Moor this morning in light to moderate southerlies. The world's 2 most wary Whinchats were still around the temporary fence along the Colne, 2-3 Common Whitethroat and 1 Hobby overhead could be local breeders, and 7 commic terns over east were probably just commuting between reservoirs. Very small numbers of Barn Swallow pushing south provided the only vis mig.

Residents logged include 1 Kingfisher along the Colne, 1-2 Sparrowhawk (including 1 successfully catching a Goldfinch), c100 Goldfinch feeding out on the moor, c40 Linnet and 2 Meadow Pipit. On adjacent Stanwell Moor, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff were noted, and at Stanwell Moor village, several Barn Swallow and House Martin were hanging around and a Little Egret flew over.

NOTE TO MIGRANT GODS: Please would you remove the no-fly zone from around Staines Moor - there's Honey Buzzards, Ospreys, Marsh Harriers, Wrynecks, Pied Flys, Spotted Flys, Yellow Wags, Crossbills etc. turning up everywhere around London except here. I mean FFS, even a b****y Willow Warbler would be nice! Many thanks.