Tuesday 27 March 2012

27th March 2012

Conditions were similar to yesterday with perhaps less breeze, bringing similar birds to the island. Finches were slightly less numerous, about 20 Lesser Redpolls, 10 Goldfinches (left), 4 Siskin and 2 Greenfinches. A good record on the sea was a group of 5 drake Goldeneyes flying west at the north end, but no other significant sighting off the island, although 4 Canada Geese again showed at dawn over the sands. Repeat performances from previous days came from the Merlin (top left), a Wood Pigeon flushed from various places, but no sign today of any Magpies. A first year male Wheatear was ringed today (top right), the first of its kind to show for a few days, and warblers were represented by 6 Chiffchaffs and 5 Goldcrests. Very little else to report migration wise except 3 Pied Wagtails, a Skylark and 5 Starlings, some of which stayed some time around the island (right).
Afternoon sightings include a male and female Peregrine, 8 thousand Knot south of Tanskey,130 Sanderling, 4 Little Egret (3 roosted the tide on Middle), and 4 Peacock butterflies.
Ringed:- 7 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Wheatear, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet, 1 Robin, 1 Wren.
Picture left of 3 Lesser Redpolls showing a variety of head colour from red to gold !
(DB,CJ,KMc,PSW)         [ 276-19 ]         photos  CJ, PSW (Wheatear, and Redpolls)

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