Saturday 23 November 2013

The 22nd was another calm day, and saw the continued arrival of thrushes on the island, albeit in small numbers. A total of 45 Blackbirds, one Fieldfare, 27 Song Thrushes, four Redwings and a Mistle Thrush were scattered over the island, although most were seen moving up the slopes of Pen Cristin. There was no sign of the Siberian Chiffchaff, although two Chiffchaffs were present, along with one Goldcrest. Another Short-eared Owl (perhaps the same bird as yesterday, was flushed from the mountainside near Carreg Bach.
There were fewer migrants around on the 23rd, with the only increase of thrushes represented by nine Redwings, which flew over in singles. A pipit seen briefly on Solfach in the morning looked very much like the Water Pipit from a few days ago, but a Sparrowhawk promptly scattered the whole flock, and it was not seen again. A small movement of passerines overhead saw three Skylarks, 28 Meadow Pipits, 14 Chaffinches, five Siskins, two Goldfinches and a Greenfinch passing over. Single Water Rails were seen in the Carreg Wetlands and Cristin Withy, and three Snipe were also flushed from the wetlands. 

 Most of the Song Thrushes were typical British Song Thrushes T.p. clarkei with warm brown tones on the back and rump 
 One or two of the Song Thrushes were Continental Song Thrushes T.p. philomelos, with more grey-toned backs and rumps
 Winter Wren

No comments:

Post a Comment