20th October 2022

 Weather:  SE force 2/3 decreasing S 1 later, rain drizzle and mist during the day

A very impressive day of migration on the island. For most of the morning neither the mainland nor little eye were visible, members following the tide out found a flock of over 100 Wigeon and 16 Teal on the ebbing water just east of the reef, the largest duck flock seen here in many years.

Other duck today included another 44 Teal, 22 Shelduck, a Mallard and  2 Pintail. Large numbers of Redwing (over 1,000) and Starling flew south low over the islands with some landing to rest and feed, there were good numbers of Fieldfare and Blackbird amongst them.

  A Ring Ouzel flew down the west side and then over the observatory but sadly didn't land.

Forty Blackbirds had arrived at the island also 8 Song Thrushes, some of both species were on the ground with the odd Redwing and Fieldfare.

 

A Merlin put up from the east side was probably responsible for one of the Redwing showing signs of a skirmish. It was well enough to continue on its way. Some of the 250 Starlings came down to feed.

 

 One of the 6 Skylarks were also on the ground.

There were 2 Reed Buntings paying us a visit, one was calling from the garden next to the obs.

Apart from the 14 Siskin, finches were scarce with just 2 Chaffinches and 23 Linnet. A Common Snipe and 5 Lapwings were an additional scarce species on the shore.

 Sea birds were not really on the agenda for today, but in passing 3 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Common SCoter and 4 Guillemots came into view.

A late Arctic Tern hung about on the island rocks today, we were not sure whether it was sick in some way.

 Not mentioned so far but always notable were 12 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, the Kestrel, 123 Redshank and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Photos AEH, AS, SRW