Wednesday, 10 May 2017

10th May 2017

Weather:  SSE 0-1, 0/8 cloud, most first thing poor vis, clearing later sunny and hot

The day started well with mist around the estuary producing a few grounded migrants including another female Redstart, about a dozen Willow Warblers and a male Whitethroat.


However, the highlight of the day for many were the waders with spectacular numbers of Dunlin roosting on and feeding around the main island, with a minimum of 8,000 estimated today.

Amongst these were 60 Ringed Plover, 35 Sanderling, 16 Turnstone, 21 Whimbrel and singles of Knot (see header photo), Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper; the latter two species not annual in spring. Both were only seen briefly and disappeared into the throngs of Dunlin.




Visible migration was also occurring with 5 flava and a single Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit buzzed over and 50 Swallows were counted.

Two species not associated with mid May appeared mid morning with a fine male Stonechat and a single Goldcrest, which was later caught and ringed.


Ringed: 7 Willow Warblers, 2 Linnets, 1 Redstart, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Whitethroat.  [ 309-28 ]

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