Thursday 8 April 2010

8th April 2010


















A splendid first year female Sparrowhawk was found in the SK heligoland mid-morning and gave great pleasure as no migrants had been in the trapping area during the previous 3 hours. A Merlin was also seen on a few occassions during the morning, but surprisingly no Kestrels or Peregrines.







Warblers were entirely absent until a single Chiffchaff appeared on the Pittosporum bush by the obs (above right). With the wind forecast to be light and from the east, the first small fall of Willow Warblers is anticipated this weekend.
Many Goldfinches passed over with 3 Lesser Redpolls early in the day, but the only Wheatear seen was the female ringed some time ago. Three House Martins went through early and 4 Swallows followed in singles later.







Other records included 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Canada Goose and a Little Egret (left) and Red-breasted Merganser (above) in the east gutter. A number of Gannets fed fairly closely off the north end and the west side.
Still with us from their winter stay are 101 Brent Geese and at least 5 Purple Sandpipers.
Ringed:- 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff
(DB,CJ,KMc,PSW,SRW,TGW,CJW(f)) [65] photos CJ

1 comment:

Phil Woollen. said...

Nice one Degsy. I'm still bleeding over my laptop!