Monday 30 March 2009

30th March 2009

A Sparrowhawk and a Wheatear present in the early morning drizzle were not seen after 08.00hrs, and a Fieldfare (right) that moved between middle and the main island also did not stay more than 30 minutes. An immature Merlin (below) however spent most of the day either sitting on various perches or chasing Meadow Pipits, of which there were a small passage of 95 birds.

















At about 10.00hrs unexpectedly a party of 16 Whooper Swans flew down the east side and across between the islands and off towards Wales.


Apart from the Pipits hardly any passerine migration took place at all, no warblers, no Goldcrests, no finches (apart from resident Linnets), just the early Wheatear and 2 Grey Wagtails.
The winds were much lighter today so the sea was not much better with only a single Kittiwake, Red-throated Diver, Guillemot, Shag and 4 Gannets with a few Scoter.

No new birds ringed today but P459332 the oldest known British Meadow Pipit (right) (see 21st March) was again availing itself of the free meal in the potter traps.
(DB,CJ) photos CJ

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