A blustery start to the day with more north in the wind meant attention today turned to the sea and it did not disappoint with 120 Sandwich Terns and a couple of Common Terns noted with a single Arctic Skua, the first of the year, seen harassing the terns.
At least 50 Gannets were feeding close inshore to the island along with over 2,000 large gulls.
Waders and in particular Dunlin (see above) were also very evident around the rising tide with 2,800 counted along with 50 Ringed Plover and 8 Whimbrel.
Migrant passerines were very thin on the ground but the local breeding birds made the most of the sunshine out of the wind with at least three singing Dunnocks noted during the breeding bird survey (which also noted Meadow Pipits, Rock Pipit, Linnets, Pied Wagtail and Wrens).
The blossom on the blackthorn this year is reminding many of us of the last time a Subalpine Warbler turned up on the island in late April 2006.
Ringing: Linnet [106-19]
Photos AEH
No comments:
Post a Comment