Thursday, 24 April 2025

24th April 2025

Weather: ESE  force 3   with mist around the estuary

  

 

There seemed to be plenty of birds about the island first thing with singing Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, a brief burst of Grasshopper Warbler song, and two Whitethroats in the paddocks.

The traps however were slow to produce birds to ring although by midday 8 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats and a female Blackcap were on the ringing list.

 

 A Fieldfare was on Middle soon after dawn but didn't stay, and 3 flocks of Pinkfeet geese flew north early totalling 161 birds. 

 During the morning at least a dozen Willow Warblers had been here, also 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps and a flyover flava (Yellow) Wagtail, 2 White, 1 Grey and 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Goldfinches and half a dozen Wheatears (with 1 definite Greenland type). Streaming slowly south were 25 Swallows and a House Martin. Two Magpies arrived together, one landing on the motus mast,

and 7 Jackdaws, groups of 4 and 3, circled the island but failed to come down. Two Canada Geese flew passed but kept on going. Surprise of the day were extra Eiders arriving this morning and at one time 14 were seen but they went missing before noon. 

 In the morning the sea was busy with 45 Gannets, 12 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 20 Common Scoter, 125 Sandwich and one Little Tern. The ringed Shag still showed at the north end.

 In the area were 10 Shelduck and 6 Mallard, hopefully for a sucessful breeding season. Whimbrel are now numerous around the estuary, 15 seen today but few other waders except for 800 Oystercatchers, 30 Dunlin, 5 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover and a Bar-tailed Godwit.

 Photos SRW

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