Monday 30 October 2017

The Yellowhammer caught this morning

It was a slightly bonkers first few hours of the day, with flocks of many birds constantly passing overhead. To start with, the dominant species was Woodpigeons, of which 830 were counted. This wouldn't be a notable count at all at many mainland vis-mig points (the average reader could probably get that many passing over their garden in a day when migration is good!), but Bardsey isn't your average vis-mig site. Woodpigeon flocks just don't get here normally, our previous day record of 300 was set back in 1976, and this count therefore increases the record by about 176%! That in itself was pretty good going, but plenty more passed overhead. Corvids had their largest passage of the year so far, with 470 Jackdaws, 52 Rooks, 44 Carrion Crows and 36 Magpies recorded today, while another 490 Starlings passed through. Another great day for Finches included 177 Chaffinches, 58 Bramblings, 25 Greenfinches, 72 Goldfinches, 45 Linnets and 46 Lesser Redpolls, while a seasons best of 64 Reed Buntings passed overhead, as did two Lapland Buntings. A medley selection of other species seen passing over included 12 Cormorants, one Dunlin, one Golden Plover, one Snipe, one Great Spotted Woodpecker (one of four seen today), 76 Skylarks, 147 Meadow Pipits, three Rock Pipits(out of 32 seen today, a sizeable arrival), a Mistle Thrush (out of two seen today) and 11 Fieldfares (out of 20 seen today).

A Yellowhammer caught and ringed at the Plantation was the highlight of another very good selection on land. With the belated news that Rachel Porter had a Ring Ouzel on the Mountainside, I can also happily saw we managed all six Thrushes between us! 43 Blackbirds, 20 Song Thrushes and 35 Redwings joined the three species already mentioned. Otherwise 34 Robins and 29 Goldcrests were the only numerous migrants, while three Merlins, a Pied Wagtail, four Stonechats, four Blackcaps, four Chiffchaffs, a Coal Tit, an excellent five Bullfinches and eight Long-tailed Tits made up the rest of the days species.

The sea was very quiet, but a gathering of Gulls offshore early in the morning included 910 Black-headed Gulls, 30 Mediterranean Gulls, 11 Common Gulls and 350 Herring Gulls.


350 Herring Gull, 910 Black-head, 11 Common Gull, 30Mediterranean Gull,

No comments:

Post a Comment