Passerines!

This morning I met AJG and MH at The Point for more vis migging/sea watching. A light NW wind was blowing and the sky was cloudless, 100s of passerines were passing overhead calling constantly mostly stratospheric and unseen. Linnets and Goldfinches seemed to be in the majority, but also Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Reed Buntings, Greenfinches, Swallows, a few Skylarks, a Grey Wagtail also 2 Wheatears on the beach. The gull roost held 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 1w Yellow-legged Gull, while on the sea of note 3 Arctic Skuas and the lingering Pomarine Skua. 

 Siskin at the Long Pits

A walk with AJG from the observatory to the northern end of the Long Pits and back, produced 52 Chiffchaffs, more Siskins and Redpolls over, 2 Grey Wagtail, a few each of Goldcrests and Blackcaps, a Firecrest and 2 Sparrowhawks of note. A Dartford Warbler was seen at West Beach but had vanished by the time I arrived, though there was still plenty of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in the Gorse as well as a Black Redstart. 

Black Redstart at Lloyds

While I was at home having lunch, DB called me to say 11 Common Buzzards were thermalling over the fields opposite my house. I went outside and scanned around finding 12+ Common Buzzards and a Peregrine.