Tuesday, 28th October 2014

There was an unexpected large finch movement this morning with over a thousand Chaffinches recorded. Other birds seen during the movement were four Jack Snipes which came in off the sea and a single Yellowhammer, the first this Autumn. The birds were probably moving before the band of heavy rain arrived from the north later in the morning.

Chaffinches

Offshore

17 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 1 Guillemot and 3 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration:

128 Pink-footed Geese north, 4 Jack Snipes in off & south-east, 3 Stock Doves south-east, 1 Jay west, 8 Skylarks south, 867 Starlings south-west, 2 Redwings south-east, 3 Mistle Thrushes south-west, 10 Tree Sparrows east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 9 Alba Wagtails south, 11 Meadow Pipits south, 2 Rock Pipits south-west, 1,080 Chaffinch south-west, 11 Bramblings south-west, 38 Greenfinch south-west, 27 Goldfinches south-west, 25 Siskins south-west, 2 Linnets south, 1 Yellowhammer south-west and 2 Reed

Buntings south-west.

 

 Chaffinches

Grounded Migrants

4 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Song Thrushes and 1 Wheatear.

Others 

400 Pink-footed Geese, 37 Ringed Plovers, 33 Grey Plovers, 250 Knots, 130 Sanderlings, 27 Dunlins, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 215 Turnstones and 2 Stonechats.

 

 Stonechat

Monday, 27th October 2014

Offshore 

12 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 1 Red-throated Diver west,1 Great Crested Grebe east, 1 Razorbill and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration:

5 Whooper Swans south, 125 Pink-footed Geese north, 10 Chaffinch south and 1 Redpoll east.

Grounded Migrants:

1 Goldcrest and 4 Redwings.

Others 

1 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail, 400 Lapwings, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits and 1 Snow Bunting.

 

 Snow Bunting

Sunday, 26th October 2014

Offshore:

1 Shelduck east, 4 Common Scoters west, 2 Gannets west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 2 Kittiwakes west, 3 Little Gulls west and 5 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

4 Skylarks south and 2 Mistle Thrushes south-east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrushes and 7 Redwings.

Others

450 Pink-footed Geese, 175 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 46 Ringed Plovers, 55 Golden Plovers, 625 Lapwings, 240 Sanderlings, 27 Dunlins, 3 Snipe, 31 Black-tailed Godwits, 700 Redshanks, 250 Turnstones, 1 Cettis Warbler, 4 Rock Pipits, 32 Linnets and 4 Twite.

 

 Turnstones

 

 Sanderling

 

 Ringed Plover

Saturday, 25th October 2014

A surprisingly good day despite the southwesterly winds and overcast conditions.There was an obvious overnight arrival of Thrushes and a bit of visible migration first thing. The wind steadily increased and the attention was switched to the sea. There was a decent movement of birds offshore with the highlight being a cracking adult Pomarine Skua which hung around for a while targeting Kittiwakes. Then later in the day a Siberian Chiffchaff was heard to call twice near one of our net rides, the net was opened and despite the blustery conditions it was trapped and ringed.

 

 Siberian Chiffchaff

Offshore

17 Wigeons west, 5 Teal west, 27 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser east, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Gannet west, 5 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 adult Pomarine Skua hung around targeting Kittiwakes before flying west, 65 Kittiwakes came in following ferry before drifting back out, 12 Little Gulls, 1 Guillemot west, 7 Razorbills west and 106 Auk sp. west.

 

 Red-throated Diver

Visible Migration

2 Barnacle Geese south, 250 Wood Pigeons south, 53 Jackdaws south, 4 Carrion Crows south, 11 Skylarks south, 104 Starlings south, 2 Alba Wagtails south, 11 Meadow Pipits south, 134 Chaffinch south/south-east, 1 Brambling south-east, 13 Greenfinch south, 15 Goldfinch south and 3 Reed Buntings south.

 

 Woodpigeons

Grounded Migrants

3 Goldcrests, 2 Coal Tits, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 30 Blackbirds, 13 Song Thrushes, 45 Redwings and 1 Snow Bunting.

 

 Siberian Chiffchaff

Others:

1,000 Pink-footed Geese, 450 Wigeons, 80 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 47 Ringed Plovers, 11 Golden Plovers, 600 Lapwings, 260 Sanderlings, 53 Dunlins, 34 Black-tailed Godwits, 350 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechats and 2 Rock Pipits.

 

 Dunlins

 

 Stonechat

Ringing:

1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird and 1 Robin.

 

 Common Gull

Friday, 24th October 2014

Offshore 

31 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 6 Kittiwakes west, 2 Little Gulls west, 3 Razorbills west and 15 Auk sp.west.

Visible Migration

42 Pink-footed Geese north, 65 Jackdaws south, 4 Rooks south, 5 Carrion Crows south, 36 Skylarks south, 77 Starlings south, 5 Alba Wagtails south, 19 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit south-west, 48 Chaffinch south, 7 Greenfinch south, 17 Linnets south and 3 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants

3 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackbirds, 6 Song Thrushes, 8 Redwings, 3 Robins and 1 Stonechat.

Ringing

3 Robins, 1 Chaffinch and 2 Reed Bunting.

 

 Reed Bunting

Thursday, 23rd October 2014

Offshore 

25 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Gannets west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 2 Kittiwakes west, 7 Little Gulls west, 1 Arctic Tern west, 1 Razorbill west and 5 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

7 Skylarks south, 2 Song Thrushes south-east, 2 Alba Wagtails south, 2 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit south-west, 19 Chaffinch south and 11 Linnets south.

Grounded Migrants 

2 Goldcrests, 13 Blackbirds, 6 Song Thrushes, 12 Redwings and 3 Stonechats.

 

 Stonechat

Others

5 Whooper Swans, 280 Pink-footed Geese, 500 Wigeons, 125 Teal, 3 Shovelers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail, 52 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull, 2 Cettis Warblers and 5 Rock Pipits.

 

 Black-tailed Godwits

Wednesday, 22nd October 2014

Offshore 

6 Shelducks west, 8 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 3 Gannets west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 24 Kittiwakes west, 3 Little Gulls west, 1 Guillemot west and 5 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

6 Skylarks south.

Grounded Migrants:

12 Blackbirds and 23 Redwings.

Others

2 Shovelers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Water Rail, 21 Ringed Plovers, 47 Sanderlings, 2 Snipe, 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 205 Turnstones.

 

 Little Egret

Tuesday, 21st October 2014

Offshore

22 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Manx Shearwater west, 6 Gannets west, 1 Shag west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 Arctic Skua west, 1 Great Skua west, 26 Kittiwakes west, 9 Little Gulls west, 1 Guillemot west, 2 Razorbills west and 23 Auk sp. west.

 

 Great Skua

Manx Shearwater

Others:

1 Peregrine, 23 Ringed Plovers, 44 Grey Plovers, 250 Knot, 52 Sanderlings, 65 Dunlins and 250 Turnstones.

 

 Sanderling

Monday, 20th October 2014

Offshore 

3 Pintails west, 47 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 2 Gannets west, 1 Razorbill west and 9 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

1 Merlin in off.

 Merlin

Grounded Migrants 

4 Goldcrests, 16 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes and 15 Redwings.

Others:

375 Wigeons, 65 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 24 Ringed Plovers, 22 Golden Plovers, 46 Grey Plovers, 425 Lapwings, 200 Knot, 42 Sanderlings, 55 Dunlins, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 2 Rock Pipits.

 Dunlin

 Grey Plover

Sunday, 19th October 2014

Offshore 

8 Wigeons west, 30 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 9 Gannets west, 1 Kittiwake west, 1 Guillemot and 31 Auk sp. west.

 Wigeon

Grounded Migrants

3 Goldcrests, 5 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 7 Redwings and 1 Stonechat.

 Blackbird

Others 

180 Pink-footed Geese, 500 Wigeons, 4 Pintails, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 21 Ringed Plovers, 65 Sanderlings, 4 Snipe, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 700 Redshanks, 200 Turnstones, 4 Stock Doves, 1

Kingfisher, 4 Rock Pipits, 45 Goldfinch and 33 Linnets.

 Cormorants

Saturday, 18th October 2014

Offshore 

33 Common Scoters west, 14 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 6 Gannets west, 107 Cormorants west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 3 Guillemots west & 1 on the sea and 6 Auk sp. west. Also 2 Atlantic Grey Seals.

Visible Migration:

1 Little Egret west, 13 Collared Doves southwest, 8 Alba Wagtails south, 7 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit south-west, 6 Goldfinches west and 7 Chaffinches south.

Grounded Migrants

7 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 18 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes, 15 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

 Blackbird

Others 

470 Wigeons, 130 Teals, 1 Pintail, 2 Shovelers, 1 Little Egret, 2 Water Rails, 23 Golden Plovers, 500 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Med. Gulls, 2 Ravens, 1 Cettis Warbler and 3 Rock Pipits.

Ringing 

1 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin and 1 Goldfinch.

 Robin

Friday, 17th October 2014

Offshore 

5 Shelducks east, 14 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 8 Gannets west, 2 Guillemots west & 4 on the sea and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

1 Sparrowhawk south, 7 Carrion Crows south, 67 Skylarks south, 1 Swallow south, 7 Redwings south-east, 68 Starlings south/south-east, 11 Tree Sparrows south/south-west, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 16 Alba Wagtails south, 31 Meadow Pipits south, 2 Rock Pipits west/south-west, 18 Chaffinch south/south-east, 30 Greenfinch south-east, 4 Goldfinch south, 4 Siskins south-east, 2 Redpolls south-east and 2 Reed Buntings south.

 

 Grey Wagtail

Grounded Migrants

5 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Wheatear.

Others

925 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 545 Wigeons, 125 Teal, 3 Pintails, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 5 Water Rails, 105 Golden Plovers, 800 Lapwings, 65 Sanderlings, 33 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Rock Pipits and 100 Linnets.

 

 Peregrine

Ringing

3 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1 Greenfinch and 10 Reed Buntings. Also another re-trap Cetti's Warbler from September, which means 3 different birds have been trapped in two days.

 

 Reed Bunting

Cetti's Warbler

Thursday, 16th October 2014

There was an obvious overnight arrival of Thrushes with good numbers all over the peninsula. Also new in today was a Black Redstart and the first Twite of the Autumn. A new Cetti's Warbler was trapped and ringed, plus a bird was re-trapped which was ringed here in November last year.

Offshore

17 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted merganser, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Gannets west, 2 Little Gulls east, 1 Guillemot west and 14 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

14 Jackdaws south, 5 Carrion Crows south, 9 Skylarks south, 6 Fieldfares south-east, 45 Redwings south-east, 6 Alba Wagtails south, 14 Meadow Pipits south, 46 Chaffinch south-/south-east, 6 Greenfinch south-east, 5 Goldfinch south-east and 6 Siskins south-east.

Grounded Migrants

13 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Treecreeper, 75 Blackbirds, 30 Song Thrushes, 78 Redwings, 1 Black Redstart and 1 Wheatear.

 

 Blackbird

 

 Redwing

Others:

1 Shoveler, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Peregrines, 33 Ringed Plovers, 55 Sanderlings, 24 Dunlins, 4 Snipe, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, 1 Med. Gull and 11 Twite.

 

 Peregrine

Ringing 

1 Blue Tit, 1 new Cetti's Warbler & a re-trap from November last year, 1 Blackbird, 2 Robins, 1 Chaffinch and 6 Reed Buntings.

 

 Reed Bunting

Wednesday, 15th October 2014

Offshore 

65 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 11 Gannets west, 7 Little Gulls east, 3 Razorbills west and 29 Auk sp. west.

 

 Gannet

Visible Migration 

46 Pink-footed Geese south, 4 Collared Doves south/south-west, 6 Carrion Crows south, 4 Coal Tits east, 8 Skylarks south, 146 Starlings east/south-east, 7 Blackbirds south-east, 7 Song Thrushes south-east, 36 Redwings east/south-east, 13 Mistle Thrushes south-east, 11 Alba Wagtails south, 34 Meadow Pipits south, 33 Chaffinch south/south-east, 1 Brambling south-east, 17 Greenfinch south-east, 6 Goldfinch south, 2 Crossbills east and 3 Reed Buntings south-east.

 

 Goldfinch

 

 Starlings

Grounded Migrants:

9 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaffs, 25 Blackbirds, 16 Song Thrushes, 1 Stonechat and 2 Wheatears.

 

 Song Thrush

Others:

420 Pink-footed Geese, 320 Wigeons, 105 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 38 Ringed Plovers, 85 Golden Plovers, 450 Lapwings, 56 Sanderlings, 31 Dunlins, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 300 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Yellow-legged Gull.

 

 Cormorant

Tuesday, 14th October 2014

The first wave of Redwings passed through this morning and a Ring Ouzel was around first thing. Two Grey Partridges were found this afternoon which were probably the same pair that were seen during the spring. This species became locally extinct in the early nineties, so hopefully they might stay around.

Offshore

47 Common Scoters west, 6 Red-throated Divers west, 7 Gannets east, 1 Little Gull east, 1 Guillemot, 2 Razorbills west and 23 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

18 Pink-footed Geese south, 9 Skylarks south, 915 Redwings east/south-east, 11 Mistle Thrushes south/south-east, 12 Alba Wagtails south, 36 Meadow Pipits south, 33 Chaffinch south/south-east, 13 Greenfinch south/south-east, 21 Goldfinch soouth/south-east, 5 Siskins south-east and 1 Reed Bunting south.

Grounded Migrants 

9 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Ring Ouzel, 30 Blackbirds, 14 Song Thrushes, 17 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

 

 Redwing

Others

550 Pink-footed Geese, 85 Teal, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Little Egrets, 57 Ringed Plovers, 17 Golden Plovers, 420 Lapwings, 115 Sanderlings, 58 Dunlins, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshanks, 875 Redshanks and 1 Med. Gull.

Ringing

1 Goldcrest, 5 Blue Tits and 1 Long-tailed Tit.

 

 Goldcrest

Monday, 13th October 2014

Offshore

6 Pintails west, 58 Common Scoters west, 11 Red-throated Divers west, 5 Gannets west, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Kittiwakes west, 1 Little Gull west, 1 Guillemot west & 1 sea, 4 Razorbills west and 41 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

80 Pink-footed Geese south, 4 Carrion Crows south, 7 Skylarks south, 1 Mistle Thrush south, 11 Alba Wagtails south, 40 Meadow Pipits south, 71 Chaffinch south/south-east, 69 Greenfinch south/south-east, 132 Goldfinch south/south-east, 17 Siskins south/south-east and 7 Linnets south.

 

 Goldfinches

Grounded Migrants 

3 Goldcrests, 2 Song Thrushes and 1 Wheatear.

Others

700 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 64 Ringed Plovers, 180 Sanderlings, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 63 Dunlins and 340 Turnstones.

 

 Purple Sandpipers

Sunday, 12th October 2014

Offshore

33 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Gannet west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west and 2 Auk Sp. west.

Visible Migration

11 Whooper Swans south, 805 Pink-footed Geese south, 2 Sparrowhawks south, 2 Golden Plovers south,  9 Woodpigeons south, 6 Collared Doves south/south-west, 182 Jackdaws south/south-west, 13 Carrion Crows south/south-west, 37 Skylarks south, 2 Swallows south, 98 Starlings south, 1 Song Thrush south, 6 Mistle Thrushes south/south-west, 8 Grey Wagtails south, 37 Alba Wagtails south, 206 Meadow Pipits south, 2 Rock Pipits south-west, 92 Chaffinch south/south-east, 40 Greenfinches south/south-east, 21 Goldfinch south, 9 Linnets south and 5 Reed Buntings south.

 Pink-footed Geese

Whooper Swans

Grounded Migrants 

2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 7 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Stonechat and 1 Wheatear.

 Wheatear

Others 

1,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 72 Ringed Plovers, 33 Grey Plovers, 150 Knots, 310 Sanderlings, 135 Dunlins, 2 Snipe, 3 Stock Doves and 1 Kingfisher.

 Ringed Plovers

Sanderlings

Ringing 

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Wren, 2 Blackbirds, 2 Great Tits, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Chaffinches, 18 Greenfinches and 4 Goldfinches.

 Chiffchaff

 Meadow Pipit

Great Spotted Woodpecker