Saturday 1 April 2017

1st April 2017

Weather: SE force 0/1 vis 3 miles, light drizzle and then rain


An early start and extensive cloud made for an arrival in the dark, and the only suggestion of birds about were some calling Goldcrests in the obs garden. The first round of the traps confirmed that Goldcrests were in the paddocks and Meadow Pipits were moving in decent numbers but unlike recent days no Chiffchaffs were about.

Over 20 Lesser Redpolls arrived small groups and 2 Wheatears were on the west side, however the rain soon started and became persistent which together with an abrupt change of wind direction prompted a large fall of thrushes to descend on the island comprising 44 Redwings, 5 Fieldfares, and a couple of Blackbirds. The Redwings stayed in the Blackthorn for about 10 minutes before parties of them circled and departed the island.




The Pheasant still walks around the island, this morning it climbed the 'air raid shelter'.


Others of note today were flocks of 40 Bar-tailed Godwits and 40 Black-headed Gulls. No Purple Sandpipers could be located, have they already gone north?


Ringed: 6 Goldcrests, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Wrens, 1 Blackbird (amazingly the first ringed this year)       [ 64-16 ]

No comments: