Weather: ESE force 3/4 mist , slight drizzle at times in the morning
Despite apparently ideal conditions it was a quiet day on the island, nevertheless we had the first 2 Swifts of the year flying through.
Hirundines arrived in good numbers, 86 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins, 6 House Martins made an appearance. Just 5 Willow Warblers were here this morning, also a Blackcap, but the most pleasure came from the lovely 5 Yellow Wagtails some of which were on the ground for some time.
Some of the 8 White Wagtails joined them on the ground giving great views all-round,
Eight Wheatears arrived during the day including several male Greenland types. Migrant finches were few, just 3 Goldfinches and a Lesser Redpoll. On the sea 2 Fulmars flying close to the island drew special attention as they have been so scarce here over the last few years. There were 2 Kittiwakes, also scarce recently. Gannets (47) dived mostly off to the west side, as did 178 Sandwich Terns, 17 Common Terns and 3 Arctic Terns. Auks showed mostly in flight, 37 Razorbills and 15 Guillemots, while a dozen or so of the 49 Common Scoter flew close to the island. Eight Red-throated Divers were seen, and 4 Red-breasted Mergansers gave unusually close views as they flew passed up the west side. A Shag was about the island as were 4 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons. The 2 late staying Brent were not seen today, have they finally gone? There was a adult male Eider with 4 female types around the island with 12 Shelduck. A Canada Goose flew offshore. Star wader of the day was an unseasonal Lapwing which landed on Little Eye at high tide. Whimbrel were the most noticeable species with at least 20 calling and moving about the rocks. Other counts were 170 Dunlin, 45 Knot, 26 Ringed Plover and a single Sanderling.
Photos SRW
No comments:
Post a Comment