With the winds returning to their favoured state of a light breeze from the north-east, and the sun revealing itself by midday, birds were flooding through the island. The calm conditions, left the sea at a settled state, which made a
Great Northern Diver, 33
Gannets, four
Eiders, 23
Common Scoters, 14
Mediterranean Gulls, 703
Kittiwakes and most impressively a
Whooper Swan, all the more obvious. Two
Merlins continued to hunt across the island travelling between the South End and the West Side, searching for prey. Meanwhile, two
Jack Snipes and three
Common Snipes, skulked in the Wetlands, hiding from the marauding raptors. Elsewhere, four
Water Rails were heard in the withies, and two
Golden Plovers were seen briefly over the Mountain. A good passage of
Skylarks was noted, with 70 being logged flying over the island today, along with the years second record of
Woodlark! Four
Swallows were also seen flying over the Wetlands in the afternoon, the last stragglers of the year, before the winter truly establishes itself.
Meadow Pipits saw an obvious increase today as well, with 192 logged, a further four
Grey Wagtails were heard overhead and a small number of
Wheatear, also put in an appearance totalling six birds.
The usual warblers continued to be seen across the island, with four
Blackcaps, two
Yellow-browed Warblers, seven
Chiffchaffs, one
Willow Warbler, 54
Goldcrests and two
Firecrests recorded.
Yellow-browed Warbler
However, the main talking point of the day was the exciting thrush and finch passage recorded across the island, which primarily took place in the morning when the sun was still stuck behind clouds. An impressive 67
Blackbirds, 38
Fieldfares, 25
Song Thrushes and 146
Redwings moved through the island, some stopping to feed before moving on. The same winds brought with them a selection of finches and in good number. Altogether,
224 Chaffinches, ten
Bramblings, one
Greenfinch, 28
Siskins, 13
Goldfinches, 59
Linnets and five
Lesser Redpolls were seen, making up an enjoyable day of census on the island.
Also moving through were a
Hooded Crow, 165
Starlings and three
Reed Buntings.
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