Wednesday 9 November 2016

Strong westerly winds provided impressive swells, crashing waves and spray across the island but very little in terms of any movement. The first Fulmars for over a week took advantage of the winds, cruising the rough seas off the north end, passing them and heading south were a small flock of Wigeons, two stunning drakes and two females. Small numbers of auks moved during the morning, 24 Guillemots and 189 Razorbills, eight Gannets and a selection of gulls including 30 Black-headed Gulls, two Common Gulls, eight Herring Gulls, two Greater Black-backed Gulls and 216 Kittiwakes.

With the strength of the winds vegetated cover across the island was battered back and forth making recording any passerines difficult, that said some birds were recorded. Blackbirds occupied the gardens with ten seen along with a single Song Thrush. A Chiffchaff was heard in the withies and six Goldcrests, 35 Starlings and three Chaffinches were also noted. A cheeky Blue Tit at Nant has taken to pecking at fresh linseed putty around the windows, tit species are known to do this but it is unknown whether they are attracted to the linseed oils in the putty or otherwise. There was a small gathering of Magpies and Carrion Crows around Nant while a Raven and a pair of Choughs swooped over the mountainside. A female Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and Kestrel were also logged.

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