Wheatear - Woodford

I kept checking and I kept checking, but there had been no sign of the returning Wheatears on my patch on all of my visits in April. I visited Old Hall Lane and its surrounding areas most evenings and at weekends hoping to catch up with them. No such luck. Lots has changed in the area that they used to visit (Woodford aerodrome). 950 houses are on their way and so there is a lot of disturbance with vehicles moving about and noise etc. A lot of the land still remains wild (for now), but I do have horrid thoughts that these may be the last times I will see these birds here. So I was desperate to keep up my search. If they were there I wanted to see them.

April came and went, and it wasn't until the 2nd of May that I finally managed to find one. A couple of weeks later than usual. It was on the golf course, looking superb. It was still there on the 5th and a little closer to the road. I do hope these aren't the last few pictures that I get of them on my patch, but I fear that this habitats days are numbered and that will probably mean fewer and fewer visits, if any, by these stunning Summer migrants in the years to come.

Insect picking on Old Hall Farm.

Perched on the fence between the airfield and the golf course.