Saturday 24 April 2010

24th April 2010










The southerly winds brought 6 species of warbler to the island soon after dawn, both Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were the first this year (above right), there were also 2 Blackcaps, 2 Grasshopper Warblers (above left), 20 Willow Warblers and a single Chiffchaff. Only the Blackcaps and a couple of Willow Warblers arrived after 07.30hrs so the main ringing activity was confined to the early hours. The 6 Greenland Wheatears again passed through early, only one being seen after 06.15hrs !





Despite the southerly wind a number of seabirds gathered off the west side in the morning including some Little Gulls, Gannets (20) (left), Sandwich Terns(16) (above), the first Arctic (4) and Common Terns of the year, and an early Manx Shearwater flew up the Dee.
Not as many hirundines went through as yesterday, nevertheless up to noon about 80 Swallows, a small number of Sand Martins and 4 House Martins were logged. Two Tree Pipits were heard over with 4 Yellow and 4 White Wagtails, and the now usual Goldfinches and Lesser Redpolls visiting in small numbers.
A Sparrowhawk (right) came in from Wales, crossed the island and continued to the north Wirral shore at Hoylake.
Ringed:- 13 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch.
(CJ,DCT,PT,NDW,CJW,SRW,PSW) [178] photos CJ

2 comments:

Jane Turner said...

The Sprawk came in over the point at Red Rocks with several Herring Gulls up its backside!

Colin said...

Thanks for that Jane, isn't co-ordinated migration watching great !