Thursday, 25th April 2013

A large fall of common migrants occurred at the Observatory today. The day started with classic fall conditions; overcast with a light south-easterly breeze. By 06:30 light rain started and immediately Wheatears,White Wagtails and Willow Warblers were all over the sea wall. It was obvious there was a big fall of migrants happening and the rest of the day saw the whole peninsular covered in birds.

 

The main species involved was Willow Warbler, with a minimum of 200 counted and 28 ringed. Many of the birds were exhausted and feeding on the ground. Other good counts included those for Common Sandpiper, Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler, Whinchat, Wheatear and White Wagtail. 

 

 Whinchat

 

The rain cleared in the late afternoon and shortly afterwards the first Marsh Harrier of the year flew through. The highlight offshore came early on; a cracking summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe that flew east at 06:30. The day ended by counting wagtails on the pools at dusk and then it was time for a few beers!!

Offshore

3 Scaups east, 39 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Red-throated Divers east, 7 Manx Shearwaters east, 1 Gannet west, 1 summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe east at 06:30, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits east, 1 Kittiwake west, 8 Little Gulls, 6 Sandwich Terns and 16 Arctic Terns east.

Visible Migration

1 Marsh Harrier - cream crown north late afternoon, 7 Whimbrels east, 28 Swallows north, 1 House Martin east, 1 Yellow Wagtail east, 55 Alba Wagtails north, 2 Tree Pipits north, 18 Meadow Pipits north, 25 Goldfinch east, 25 Linnets east and 1 Redpoll east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Little-ringed Plover, 22 Whimbrels, 12 Common Sandpipers-a high spring count for here, 8 Swifts, 3 Goldcrests, 20 Sand Martins, 100 Swallows, 25 House Martins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 200 Willow Warblers, 25 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Whitethroats, 8 Grasshopper Warblers, 10 Sedge Warblers, 9 Reed Warblers, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Redstarts, 8 Whinchats, 140 Wheatears, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 75 White Wagtails, 3 Tree Pipits, 12 Siskins, 40 Twite, 5 Redpolls and 1 Crossbill-green bird in the plantation.

 

 Wheatears

 

 Willow Warblers were feeding on the ground...........

..........in every bit of scrub; anywhere they could find invertebrates

Redstart

Others 

1 Gadwall, 1 Peregrine, 400 Dunlins, 1 Snipe and 126 Black-tailed Godwits.

 

 Dunlin

Ringing

1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 28 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Tree Pipit.

 

 Tree Pipit

A very grey looking Willow Warbler

Blackcap