31st March 2013



Lesser Redpoll

A touch of south in the easterly this morning brought quite a few typical March birds but very little sign of any of the April type migrants that should be appearing now, indeed for the first time ever no Wheatears have arrived before the end of the month. Visitors included House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinches, Great Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Starlings and 4 Collared Doves (first of the year), none of these stayed more than a few minutes. A few small parties of Meadow Pipits moved low over the grassy areas on their way through the island. Two Jackdaws passed overhead and 1 White and 3 Grey Wagtails flew through, while on the shore were 2 Teal and a Canada Goose. A Lesser Redpoll was unexpectedly caught for ringing even though no others we re heard passing through. Later in the afternoon a Woodcock was flushed near the north end but did not settle and was not seen again, it apparently arrived on the high tide as all areas had been extensively checked in the morning without result. Two Woodcocks during March is above average for the islands.  

Woodcock (photo from 9th March)



Ringed :- 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Robin, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Goldfinch         [ 25-11 ]

(DB,JE,CJ,CLW,SRW,TGW,CJW,GIW,FPW)       photos  SRW