16/010/2020

Wheatear by the new lighthouse

07.00-09.00 & 12.30-13.30 from the fishing boats: Numbers kindly supplied by AJG:

Dark-bellied Brent Goose: 433W     49E

Greylag Goose: 2E

Shelduck: 36E

Wigeon: 76W  

Teal: 3W

Velvet Scoter: 10W a single flock

Red-throated Diver: 1W

Great-crested Grebe: 2 present 

Gannet: 63E    

Cormorant: present n/c

Black-headed Gull: present n/c

Mediterranean Gull: 1E

Common Gull: present n/c

Herring Gull: present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: present n/c

Lesser Black-backed Gull: present n/c

Sandwich Tern: 27W     12 o/s

Great Skua: 2E

Arctic Skua: 3W

A gorgeous Pallas's Warbler trapped and ringed today at the Observatory

Looking miffed but showing its crown stripe 

Common/Meally Redpoll trapped and ringed at the observatory

Around the area still plenty of Redpolls, Siskins, Goldfinches, Chaffinches and a few Crossbills over, in the bushes plenty of Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and a small number of Firecrests and at least 1 Yellow-browed Warbler also a few Blackcaps, also Song Thrushes and Redwings with small numbers of Fieldfare and at least 2 Ring Ouzels. Up to 3 Short-eared Owls were seen, a flock of 8 Great White Egrets flew out to sea but seem to have changed there mind, as I saw at least 3 flying back north with others being reported. The reserve and the ARC seem to have been very quiet with just the long staying pair of Glossy Ibis being seen, the usual Great White Egrets but no reports of any Cattle Egrets. Herons Park this afternoon was alive with Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests but once again I failed to find an eastern sprite.