14th October 2020

 Weather: NE 2/3, cloudy with sunny intervals.

Obs members arriving in the dark to stay the morning tide heard good numbers of Redwings and Blackbirds flying over. As the dawn broke, there were a few of both species on the island, as well as several Starlings, but most quickly moved on, although others arrived, along with a Song Thrush, during the morning. 21 Skylarks also moved through. Groups of finches dropped in or flew over during the morning including 5 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch and a Siskin, as well as 6 House Sparrows. 

The Linnet flock numbered 40+ but there was no sign of the recent Twites. Brent Geese were widely scattered and the count of 180 was probably less than the total present. On the sea, 6 Red-throated Diver, 22 Great Crested Grebe, 250 Common Scoter and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers were noted. The Kestrel was present for the duration, providing excellent photo opportunities and was seen to catch a Short-tailed Field Vole, one of several seen.

A large frog managed to evade the Kestrel’s clutches.

  A Harbour Porpoise swam past the North end. The sun brought out a few insects including a Migrant Hawker dragonfly, a Peacock butterfly and a Devil’s Coach-horse.

One each of Robin & Wren were caught & ringed along with 2 re-trapped Robins and a Wren, the latter weighing in at an incredible 17.2 grammes!

photos CS,PSW