Tuesday, 27 November 2018
27th November
Not
a bad day, bright and dry but the SE wind kept rising steadily and ominously
throughout; not too much to mention but birds of note did include the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, single Hen
Harrier, Merlin and Kestrel, 6 Meadow Pipits, 4 Rock Pipits, 12 Robins, 10
Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush and 2 Chaffinches.
Monday, 26 November 2018
25th and 26th November
Still super light winds
over the past couple of days so we concentrated on catching some of the
remaining birds that are frequenting our sacrificial crops which include flocks
of 27 Skylark, 80 Twite, 7 Common Redpolls, a Linnet, 10 Chaffinches, 10 Reed
Buntings and 51 Snow Buntings. New
arrivals are unsurprisingly thin on the ground at this time of year as totals included
13 Red-throated Divers, 11 Great-northern Divers, 13 Gadwall, 14 Pintail, 7
Red-breasted Mergansers, a Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrels, a Merlin, 2 Woodcock, 4
Meadow Pipits, 11 Rock Pipits, 3 Robins and 3 Song Thrush.
Common Redpoll
Reed Bunting
Sunday, 25 November 2018
24th November
Another fine day with
light easterly winds and only a couple of showers; there was little new across
the island but it was still pleasant to get out in the field and of note were a
Hen Harrier, a Long-eared Owl seen at first light at Holland, 12 Meadow Pipits,
17 Rock Pipits, 9 Robins, 23 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 35 Redwing, 9
Chaffinches, 2 Greenfinches at The Obs, 76 Twite, 49 Snow Buntings and 7 Reed
Buntings.
Also of note were 5 Red-throated Divers, 8 Herons,
the Green-winged Teal, 7 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 56
Oystercatchers, 111 Purple Sandpipers, 28 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Little Auk
off Westness.
Long-tailed Duck
Friday, 23 November 2018
23rd November
Even lighter easterly
winds through the day but there were frequent showers which persisted right
through the day; the day’s highlight were 4 Long-eared Owls in Holland House gardens
at first light with two of them finding their way into mist-nets (an excellent
twelve have been ringed this year so far, plus a Norwegian control). Other birds across the land included a Hen
Harrier, a Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 194 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, 8 Skylark, 2
Meadow Pipits, 3 Rock Pipits, 6 Robins, 25 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 42
Redwing, 2 Blackcaps, 10 Chaffinches, an excellent 128 Twite (the highest day count
since October 2014), 4 Common Redpoll, 20 Snow Buntings and 6 Reed Buntings.
Other totals included 3 Red-throated Diver, a
Great-northern Diver, 7 Herons, the 6 Whooper Swans, the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen, 9
Pintail, 8 Shoveler and a Goldeneye.
Part of the Twite flock
Thursday, 22 November 2018
22nd November
Lighter winds through the
day but they were still very cold and from the ESE bringing the occasional
shower in with them; the highlight was a juvenile RED-NECKED GREBE in Nouster (despite two records last year, only the
seventh record for the island!). Other
totals generated by some good coverage included 12 Red-throated Divers, 2
Great-northern Divers, 6 Whooper Swans, 255 Wigeon, 61 Mallard, 14 Pintail, 19
Long-tailed Duck, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Grey Plover, 188 Purple
Sandpipers, 47 Dunlin, 131 Redshank and a decent influx of Gulls comprising 211
Common Gulls, 454 Herring Gulls and 197 Great Black-backed Gulls.
Across the land there was also a nice selection of
birds, mainly lingering stuff but a few new bits as totals included 2 Hen
Harriers, a Kestrel, a Merlin, 2 Woodcock, 2 Long-eared Owls caught in Holland (a new
bird and a re-trap from 2nd October), 15 Skylarks, 5 Meadow Pipits,
6 Rock Pipits, 3 Robins, 76 Blackbird, 28 Fieldfare, 10 Song Thrush, 70
Redwings, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, 9 Chaffinch, a Brambling, 93 Twite, 5
Common Redpolls, 19 Snow Buntings and 11 Reed Buntings.
Red-necked Grebe Simon Davies
Wednesday, 21 November 2018
21st November
A tough day in the field
with a blazing force 8, cold ENE wind and the occasional shower whipping
through; our efforts were concentrated on the sheltered west side of the island
but it was fairly quiet as migrants just included a Kestrel, a Merlin, a
Woodcock, a Woodpigeon, a Long-eared Owl flying round the Obs at
dusk, 4 Meadow Pipits, 11 Rock Pipits, 6 Robins, 8 Song Thrushes and 28 Snow
Buntings. Other birds of note comprised
3 Red-throated Divers, 4 Herons, 2 Pink-footed Geese, a female Common Scoter past Trolla, a Goldeneye, 7 Pintail and 9 Gadwall.
Hen Harrier
Tuesday, 20 November 2018
20th November
More promising conditions,
calm first thing with an increasing, very cold straight easterly wind and
extensive cloud cover; despite the lateness of the season the weather produced
a little flurry of new migrants across the island which included an adult
female Peregrine, 2 Woodcock, a Woodpigeon, a Long-eared Owl trapped at Holland at
dawn, 23 Skylarks, 12 Meadow Pipits, 10 Rock Pipits, 16 Robins, a Black Redstart at Moo Geo, 93 Blackbirds, 7 Song Thrushes, a Mistle Thrush, 2
Chiffchaffs, 4 Chaffinches, 3 Greenfinches, a Common Redpoll, an increase to
94+ Snow Buntings and 5 Reed Buntings.
Other birds included 5 Red-throated Divers, a
Great-northern Diver, 16 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Hen Harriers, the long staying
Kestrel, a Merlin, 4 Knot and a juvenile Glaucous Gull on rocks off Torness.
Glaucous Gull Simon Davies
Monday, 19 November 2018
19th November
A good feeling day with a
brisk SE wind and extensive cloud cover; some increased coverage with the return
of some more eyes, the highlight being the Hume’s Warbler which
reappeared at Holland, calling loudly and seen briefly again at dusk and a
female Velvet Scoter with a group of 7 Common Scoter off Brides (the first of
the year). There was a good selection
of land birds seen including a Long-eared Owl flushed from in front of
T4, 2 Merlin, 6 Woodcock, 12 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipits, 5 Rock Pipits, 3 Robins,
a Song Thrush, 7 Chaffinch, a Brambling, 85 Twite in the Kirbest crop, 7 Common
Redpolls (three at Kirbest and four near Brides), 49 Snow Buntings and 10 Reed
Buntings.
Other birds included an exceptionally late Manx Shearwater passing the seawatch hide, 7 Red-throated Divers, a
Great-northern Diver, 5 Herons, the four Pink-footed Geese, 5 Red-breasted
Mergansers, 62 Sanderling, 49 Dunlin, 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Grey Plover (one
on The Links and two in Nouster) and a Little Auk falling prey to a Great
Black-backed Gull just off the north end.
Velvet Scoter Simon Davies
Common Redpoll Simon Davies
18th November
A
much brighter day with almost totally clear skies but we kept the strong SSE
winds; a few hours spent out in the field up at the north end of the island was
quiet with 2 Little Auks on the sea close
into the foghorn the highlight. Other
birds included 13 Red-throated Divers, 7 Herons, the 5 Pink-footed Geese still,
8 Gadwall, 10 Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, a Jack Snipe, 3 Robins, 120 Fieldfare, 45
Twite and 35 Snow Buntings.
Pink-footed Goose
Sunday, 18 November 2018
17th November
A very different day with
a strong SE wind, low cloud and general murk (really, where was this earlier in
the autumn?); there seemed to be a trickle of birds moving south down the west
coast including 232 Fieldfare, 125 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush (only the second of the
autumn), 2 Common Redpoll and a few Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls at
sea.
Other totals through the day up the west coast and a
little look at the other lochs included 2 Red-throated Divers, a Great-northern
Diver, the 5 Pink-footed Geese, the Barnacle Goose, 16 Gadwall, the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen, 15 Pintail, 9
Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, a Hen Harrier, 3 Merlin, 3 Woodcock, 2
Robins, 75 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, a Blackcap, 7 Chaffinches, a Brambling, a
Linnet, 35 Twite, and 25 Snow Buntings.
Big, pale Common Redpoll from yesterday Simon Davies
16th November
A gorgeous day with very
light SSW winds and almost wall to wall sunshine; we were unfortunately back
down to a single observer but efforts with the nets at Holland really produced
the goods as the island’s second HUME’S WARBLER was
heard calling shortly after dawn and caught soon after, it was still present in
the evening, calling frequently again just at dusk.
Other birds through the day around the southern end
of the island with a little look around Torness, Lenswick and Westness included
2 Red-throated Divers, 5 Herons, 5 Pink-footed Geese, the Barnacle Goose, the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen, 2 Goldeneye south past Trinley (very scarce
so far this autumn), 2 Hen Harriers, single Merlin and Kestrel, a Woodcock, a
Black-headed Gull, 7 Meadow Pipits, 6 Rock Pipits, 4 Robins, a Song Thrush, a
Chiffchaff, 5 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 4 Linnets, 26 Twite, a Common Redpoll
and 3 Snow Buntings.
Hume's Warbler Simon Davies
Thursday, 15 November 2018
15th November
Back to the bright and
sunny conditions we’ve enjoyed of late, it was almost flat calm at first light
but the SSW wind gradually but steadily increased through the day becoming a
strong force 6-7 by the afternoon; some good coverage produced some improved
counts from across the island including 7 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great-northern
Divers, 5 Herons, single Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Goose with 1,055 Greylag
Geese, 420 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 129 Teal, 45 Mallard, 11 Pintail, 20 Long-tailed Ducks,
11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 124 Ringed Plover, 261 Golden Plover, 101 Lapwing,
8 Knot, 84 Sanderling, 40 Purple Sandpipers, 68 Dunlin, 92 Snipe, 28 Bar-tailed
Godwits, 66 Curlew, 101 Redshank, 172 Turnstone, a Black-headed Gull, 177
Common Gulls and 155 Great Black-backed Gulls.
It was quieter on the land but birds did include 16
Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipits, 21 Rock Pipits, a White Wagtail on
the beach at Howar (the first alba
Wagtail of any denomination since 29th October), a Robin, 92
Fieldfare, a Song Thrush, 102 Redwing, a Goldcrest, 11 Chaffinches, 82 Twite,
32 Snow Buntings and 8 Reed Buntings.
Twite
Wednesday, 14 November 2018
14th November
Limited coverage through
the day which was a bit damp and dreary with a moderate SW wind and little
spells of drizzle every so often; the days highlights consisted of an adult Iceland Gull
on Bewan, a Black Redstart at the
Kirk and a notable increase to 87 Twite.
Other totals through the day included 5 Red-throated
Divers, a Great-northern Diver, 2 Heron, the Barnacle Goose, the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen, 12 Pintail, a Hen Harrier, a Kestrel, 2
Merlin, 6 Skylarks, 7 Rock Pipits, 2 Robins, 2 Song Thrush, a Chiffchaff (one
of the summering birds from Holland still here!), 6 Chaffinches, a Linnet and a
Snow Bunting.
Gannet
Tuesday, 13 November 2018
13th November
Fine weather again being
almost flat calm at first light with the southerly wind slowly increasing
through the day and with observer numbers back up to two it was no surprise
that there were a few new birds seen which included the only Mistle Thrush of the autumn so far at Howar, 6 Blackcaps, a Rook (only the second record of the autumn) and 2
Greenfinches. Other birds across the
land included the male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Kestrel, 2 Jack Snipe, a
Woodcock, 5 Meadow Pipits, 11 Rock Pipits, 7 Robins, 57 Blackbirds, 40
Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 127 Redwing, a Linnet, 22 Twite, a Common Redpoll, 14
Snow Buntings and 10 Reed Buntings.
Also of note were 7 Red-throated Diver, 3
Great-northern Divers, 2 Herons, the Whooper Swan, the Barnacle Goose, 338
Wigeon, 165 Teal and 4 Black-headed Gulls.
Redwing
Monday, 12 November 2018
12th November
Another lovely day with
light to moderate southerly winds and lots of bright, unbroken sunshine; it was
very pleasant out in the field but there were few new birds with raptors the
highlight in the fine weather comprising 3 Hen Harriers (a near-adult male and
two first years), a young male Peregrine, a Kestrel and a Merlin all being seen
on multiple occasions as they dashed around while the main oddity was a late Sooty Shearwater close in off The Links.
Other totals through the day with time spent around
The Obs, Hooking and Brides census routes included 9 Red-throated Diver, 4
Herons, 6 Whooper Swans (a family party of five south and the lone bird still
on Gretchen – which may be unable to fly), the 5 Pink-footed Geese, 275 Wigeon,
12 Gadwall, 6 Pintail, 18 Tufted Ducks, 18 Long-tailed Duck, 5 Red-breasted
Mergansers, a single Ruff in fields near
Holland, a Woodcock, 18 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipits, 8
Rock Pipit, a Robin, 4 Chaffinch, a Brambling, a Greenfinch, 4 Linnets, a notably
increased 60 Twite (with several flocks seen heading south), 4 Common Redpolls,
2 Snow Bunting and 4 Reed Buntings.
Hen Harrier
Peregrine
Kestrel
Sunday, 11 November 2018
11th November
A lovely day with light
SSE winds and plenty of bright sunshine; a walk round the south end of the
island first thing produced the usual array of birds including 16 Red-throated
Divers, 3 Great-northern Divers, single Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose and
Barnacle Goose with the Greylags, the Green-winged Teal on Gretchen, 3 Pintail, a
Kestrel, 9 Meadow Pipits (including seven out to the south), a Chiffchaff, 9
Chaffinches, a Brambling, 36 Twite and 15 Snow Buntings. After the Remembrance ceremony at the Memorial
birds seen during a walk round Lenswick and Westness comprised 5 Herons, a Hen
Harrier, a Jack Snipe, 14 Skylark, 16 Rock Pipits, another Brambling and 4 Reed
Buntings.
It was very calm by the evening so I opened the nets
at Holland where a surprising selection of new birds included a Long-eared Owl, a Woodpigeon (a very young one with no neck
patch), a Woodcock, 3 Robins, 3 Blackcap and a Greenfinch.
Blackcap
Saturday, 10 November 2018
10th November
A much better day with far
lighter SSE winds and the sun coming out in the afternoon; walked round the
north and south ends of the island and managed to open some nets at Holland in
the evening, there was a good selection of birds but nothing really new; totals
included 7 Red-throated Divers, a Great-northern Diver, 4 Herons, a Whooper
Swan, the 5 Pink-footed Geese and the Barnacle Goose with 822 Greylags, 14
Gadwall, the Green-winged Teal on Gretchen, 8 Pintail, a drake Goldeneye at
Brides, 2 Hen Harriers, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, a Jack Snipe, 5 Woodcock,
2 Black-headed Gulls, 285 Herring Gulls (big flock at the top end again), 6
Skylark, 2 Robins, 86 Blackbird, 187 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 223 Redwing, a
lingering Chiffchaff in Holland where there was also a Goldcrest, 8 Chaffinch,
a Brambling, 30 Twite, 2 Common Redpoll and 21 Snow Buntings.
Goldcrest
Friday, 9 November 2018
9th November
A difficult day with a blazing
force 8 SSE wind but I walked around Hooking and Brides, concentrating on the
coast at high tide (with a little look up at Bewan later as well) and the main
feature was a good build-up of Gulls in the stormy weather including a smart
3cy Kumlien’s Gull feeding in the surf at Brides (not an age I’m
very familiar with) in amongst totals of 190 Common Gulls, 516 Herring Gulls
and 270 Great Black-backed Gulls.
Other birds included a Red-throated Diver, 2
Great-northern Divers, the Barnacle Goose (which has a white darvic ring – YUB
was ringed on Islay in 2013), 14 Long-tailed Ducks, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers,
a Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, increased totals of 138 Ringed Plover and 45 Dunlin
with big flocks on The Links, a Jack Snipe, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 11 Rock
Pipits, a Robin, 62 Fieldfare, 95 Redwing, a Jackdaw by the lighthouse, a single
Common Redpoll at Holland and 7 Snow Buntings.
(Excuse the first person narrative but I'm the only observer at the moment!)
Kumlien's Gull Simon Davies
Thursday, 8 November 2018
8th November
A much nicer day with
lighter SE winds and plenty of bright, unbroken sunshine; unfortunately, due to
other commitments (drinking in Kirkwall!) coverage was limited to the afternoon
and just around the Obs and Holland but included a Whooper Swan, 5 Pink-footed
Geese with the Greylags, the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen where
there was also a drake Goldeneye (only the second of the autumn), single Hen
Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Merlin, 2 Ruff in fields near Holland –
first ones since mid-October and only the fourth November record, 4 Woodcock, a
Black-headed Gull, 3 Meadow Pipits, 35 Blackbirds (including a Danish control
bird trapped at Holland at dusk), 42 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 55 Redwing, 2
Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff, 6 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 35 Twite and a Common
Redpoll.
Ruff
Another Woodcock picture!
7th November
More promising conditions
through the day as we kept the strong SE winds and combined it with low cloud,
murk and a few drops of rain (where were these conditions a month ago?!); there
was a small selection of new birds across the island including a decent arrival
of Thrushes as totals included 2 Hen Harriers, a Kestrel, 2 Merlin (including a
new adult male), 5 Woodcock, 5 Meadow Pipits,4 Rock Pipits, 5 Robins, 80
Blackbird, 257 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 177 Redwing, a Blackcap, 2 Jackdaws, 6
Chaffinches, 3 Linnets, 42 Twite, 19 Common Redpolls and 28 Snow Buntings.
Other counts of note comprised 2 Red-throated Divers,
2 Great-northern Divers, 5 Herons, 2 Whooper Swans, the Barnacle Goose, 253
Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 160 Teal, 80 Mallard, 15 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, 16 Tufted Duck
and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers.
Woodcock in off
6th November
A rough day with strong SE
winds but it remained largely dry; it was quiet out in the field despite the
good feeling conditions with the day’s highlights comprising a Whooper Swan, a
new Barnacle Goose with the Greylags, the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen,
2 Hen Harriers, 2 Knot up the west coast, 7 Woodcock, a Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock
Pipits, 2 Robins, 64 Blackbirds, 83 Fieldfares, 4 Song Thrush, 129 Redwing, 2
Chaffinches, 2 Linnets, 30 Twite and 19 Snow Buntings.
Woodcock Simon Davies
Tuesday, 6 November 2018
5th November
The southerly winds
dropped right off through the day, almost becoming still for a spell,
unfortunately through light but very persistent rain moved in a few hours after
dawn which never stopped at all until dark; the days highlight was an almost certain
Coue’s Arctic
Redpoll at Ancum with 21 Common
Redpolls – all the features seemed to fit apart from perhaps too much streaking
on the rump. There were a few new birds
through the day including a Kestrel, 5 Woodcock, 8 Meadow Pipits, 3 Robins, 65
Blackbirds, 76 Fieldfares, 2 Song Thrush, 160 Redwing, 2 Blackcaps, a
Chiffchaff, 5 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 16 Twite, 5 Snow Bunting and a Yellowhammer at Holland.
Also of note were 3 Herons, 2 Whooper Swans, 185
Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 9 Pintail and a Grey Plover.
Coue's Arctic Redpoll Simon Davies
Monday, 5 November 2018
4th November
We kept the strong southerly
winds but there was more sunshine with long spells of clear skies; Gulls were
again obvious with a smart juvenile Kumilen’s Gull the highlight, first at
Westness, then on rocks at Lenswick, then in Nouster in the afternoon while
other totals included 75 Common Gulls, 177 Herring Gulls and 142 Great
Black-backed Gulls. Other birds of note
comprised 6 Herons, a Whooper Swan, the Green-winged Teal still, 12 Pintail and single
Grey Plover and Knot with 111 Purple Sandpipers.
The land was quieter with just 2 Merlin, 60
Blackbirds, 44 Fieldfare, 76 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 Chaffinches, a Brambling
and 25 Twite to mention.
Kumlien's Gull George Gay
Sunday, 4 November 2018
3rd November
A very strong southerly
wind and heavy cloud replaced the fine conditions but it remained largely dry
throughout the day; the main feature of the day was a big arrival and southerly
passage of Gulls comprising 732+ Great Black-backed Gulls, 385+ Herring Gulls
and 156 Common Gulls in amongst which were 2 Glaucous Gulls – both
first year birds. Other totals included
8 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great-northern Divers, 2 Whooper Swans, 185 Wigeon,
163 Teal, the Green-winged Teal still, 62 Mallard, 8 Pintail, 13 Shoveler, 15
Tufted Duck, 12 Long-tailed Duck, the long overdue first Goldeneye of
the autumn, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and 591 Golden Plover.
On the land, migrants comprised 3 Hen Harriers (including
the adult male still), a Merlin, a Jack Snipe, 5 Woodcock, a Woodpigeon, 64
Fieldfare, a Song Thrush, 73 Redwing, 2 Jackdaw, 19 Chaffinches, 4 Brambling,
41 Twite, 22 Common Redpoll, a Lesser Redpoll and 8 Snow Buntings.
Glaucous Gull Simon Davies
2nd November
Another nice, sunny day
with the light SW wind still; a couple of new arrivals included an adult male
Hen Harrier at Brides, a new Long-eared Owl trapped in Holland and
another Lesser Redpoll, also trapped in
Holland. Other birds across the land comprised
a big female Peregrine, 3 Robins, a Wheatear hanging on, 10 Meadow Pipits, 58
Fieldfare, 79 Redwing, a Goldcrest, 2 Jackdaws, 5 Chaffinches, a Brambling, a
Greenfinch, 42 Twite, 4 Common Redpoll, 18 Snow Buntings, a Lapland Bunting and
8 Reed Bunting.
Also of note were 8 Red-throated Divers, a notable
influx of 28 Long-tailed Ducks, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Grey Plover.
Snow Bunting
Friday, 2 November 2018
1st November
Once the early morning
rain had moved through it was another fine day with light SW winds still and
some long spells of sunshine; there was the odd new bird found through the day
with a trickle of Finches noted on the move which included 11 Chaffinches, 2
Brambling, 2 Greenfinches, a Goldfinch, an increase to 57 Twite, 14 Common
Redpoll and a single Lesser Redpoll trapped at Ancum as it
came into roost. Other birds across the
island included 2 Hen Harriers, a Kestrel, 2 Woodcock, a Woodpigeon, a
Short-eared Owl, a Wheatear, 30 Fieldfare, 57 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, a Jackdaw,
a Lapland Bunting and 6 Snow Buntings.
Other totals of note on the first day of the month
comprised 8 Red-throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver in
Nouster, a Great-northern Diver, 5 Herons, 4 Whooper Swans, 216 Wigeon, 10
Gadwall, 116 Teal, the Green-winged Teal still on Gretchen, 46
Mallard, 13 Pintail, 12 Long-tailed Duck, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers, 364 Golden
Plover and a Grey Plover.
Twite
Migrant Wren (on the right), desperate times!
31st October
A fine day with light SW
winds and largely clear skies; as a result there were few new grounded migrants
(the phrase ‘its too nice’ was heard on multiple occasions) with totals
comprising 2 Hen Harriers, 3 Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Woodcock, 18 Skylark, 16
Meadow Pipit, 20 Rock Pipits, 5 Robins, a Wheatear, 56 Fieldfare, 15 Song
Thrush, 109 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, 7 Chaffinches, 6 Brambling, 21 Twite, 49
Common Redpolls still and 4 Snow Buntings.
Other birds of note included 9 Red-throated Divers, 2
Great-northern Divers, 4 Herons, 12 Pintail, a Grey Plover and 2 Jack Snipe.
Merlin
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