Wednesday 13 October 2010

13th October 2010

The Hilbre purple patch continues with the second Firecrest (left and below) for the year (the first was in early September) spending most of the morning in the paddocks before entering the Newton trap and being ringed shortly after noon. There were also 10 Goldcrests during the day which in itself is unusual as often a Firecrest turns up without Goldcrests being around.

Not quite as much visible migration today, still some Starlings including a flock of 50, but fewer Meadow Pipits and no Skylarks, nevertheless there were plenty of finches on the ground; 25 Greenfinches several Chaffinches, a House Sparrow, and 4 Siskins overhead. A single Chiffchaff and a female Blackcap were the only warblers.



A Common Snipe flew over the north end early and later its larger (and much rarer at Hilbre) cousin a Woodcock (above) was flushed from the bracken at the south end and went off over the shore towards Hoylake (right).
The Brent increased to 9 individuals as the winter population builds.

No sign of the Great Grey Shrike since 1pm yesterday.
Ringed:-7 Greenfinches, 2 Chaffinches (right), 4 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird.
(DB,CJ et al) [653]

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