Only just enough nets.

A pretty windy day with a strong westerly making ringing a bit tricky!  We only just managed to get enough nets open for it to classed as a standardised session - it was worth it however as 17 new birds were caught including 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Bramblings, 2 Redwings and a single Robin which was the 500th to be ringed this year!   Yesterday's Firecrest and Treecreeper were also re-trapped.

Brambling and Black Redstart

 

The day was more notable for its visible migration with the highlight coming mid-morning when a Black Kite flew across the field in front of the station under head height battling into the wind.   Most of the other birds were also following this route - heading NW along the coast towards town including 200+ Linnets, 30+ White Wagtails, 10 Common Crossbills and 30 Rooks along with smaller numbers of Chaffinch, Siskin, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, Woodpigeon and Starling while one each of Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk came in off the sea late morning.

 

The sea was quieter although 210 Sandwich Terns moved along the coast along with small numbers of wildfowl including 8 Brent Geese, two Shoveler and 3 Tufted Ducks while a big flock of 180 Long-tailed Ducks were lingering off the tip.

 

Back out to the tip in the afternoon where smaller numbers of birds were [almost] headlined by a probable drake King Eider seen flying away from me with a flock of Eiders (photos by Louis on the GFU website pushed me up to around 93% certain it was one!).   Other bits and pieces included a Greenshank, two Kestrels in off the sea and a trickle of Finches including 50+ Siskins.

 

Being out on the tip showed the route all this morning's birds were taking - they were heading south down the east coast of the peninsula, carrying on out to sea a short way before thinking better of it, turning round, coming back to the tip, often slowing down as if thinking "what the hell do we do now?" before heading off along the coast towards town past the station.