30/10/2013

Again no mist netting was attempted today but clearly even the very slight drop in the wind had triggered a movement with flocks of finches and raptors moving from early in the morning. As per usual we headed to the tip to count, passing the Caspian Gull and over a dozen Little Gulls, but soon became overwhelmed as south and westward flying birds were being blown in all directions out over, and back in from the sea. The remainder of the morning was spent just enjoying another special day of migration and some stunningly close views of Sparrowhawks especially.

The following count is of an hours watch just after 9am:
Bean Goose 12
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Common Scoter 6
Eider 21
Wigeon 1
Rough-legged Buzzard  7 plus 1 blogging
Common Buzzard 5 plus 3 blogging
Sparrowhawk 107

Adult Male Sparrowhawk passing the Tip at speed! (Hugh Hanmer)

Kestrel 5
Woodpigeon 55
Stock Dove 12
Fieldfare 710

Just 3 Fieldfares from one of the large flocks seen overhead (Hugh Hanmer)

Skylark 3
Grey Wagtail 2
Meadow Pipit 2
Chaffinch/Brambling 3060

One of the many mixed flocks of Chaffinches and Bramblings attempting to migrate off the Tip (Hugh Hanmer)

Greenfinch 140
Goldfinch 169
Siskin 126
Serin 1
Common Crossbill 48
Crossbill sp. 19
Redpoll sp. 38
Linnet 18
Twite 4 plus 40 blogging

A first year male Kestrel resting on the coastal clifftop out of the wind (Hugh Hanmer)

Thanks for reading Rael, Hugh, Jack and Lars