Saturday 27 October 2018

Despite the strong Northerly winds today, some phenomenal passage was noted almost from dawn till dusk. Migration today consisted primarily of Finches, but some impressive diversity was noted, in total over 10,000 birds were logged today!

Early on sea passage held most of the interest, with overhead passage not reaching its full potential until after 0930. Out to sea a Manx Shearwater was a particularly late individual, and wildfowl was perhaps the theme of today’s seawatch of particular note were 28 Whooper Swans constituting the second highest island record (falling short of the 56 recorded on 6th March 1987), two Tufted Ducks, just the 34th record for the island and 45 Eiders smashing the previous island record of 13 set on 23rd November 2010! Other wildfowl culminated to a female Goldeneye, one Brent Goose, four Shelducks, four Teals and 50 Common Scoters. Otherwise, a Mediterranean Gull, 320 Black-headed Gulls, 924 Kittiwakes, 34 Guillemots and 1027 Razorbills were logged out to sea.

After a blank day yesterday, Grey Herons returned with a vengeance, seven were present today as was a single Merlin. Some more wader passage consisted of some lesser recorded species today, eight Lapwings, one Sanderling, four Dunlins, a Jack Snipe, ten Snipes, one Woodcock, one Whimbrel, 39 Curlews, 30 Redshanks and 40 Turnstones were noted throughout the day.

It was today’s vismig that really took the prize despite the earlier sightings. Some rarely seen Woodpigeon passage culminated to 78 birds and a Short-eared Owl was flushed from the Wetlands only to pitch up at Traeth Ffynnon. Persistent coverage saw vismig totals culminate to an impressive 49 Skylarks, 149 Meadow Pipits, most of today’s 45 Blackbirds, 94 Song Thrushes and 83 Redwings, 2342 Starlings, 4110 Chaffinches, 245 Bramblings, 11 Greenfinches, eight Siskins, 174 Goldfinches and nine Lesser Redpolls. Otherwise, those that could keep their eyes from the skies were treated to further views of the Water Pipit, a Mistle Thrush, the putative Siberian Lesser Whitethroat, five Blackcaps, three Chiffchaffs, ten Goldcrests and one Coal Tit!

A particularly dramatic backdrop for this Jack Snipe

One of the 4110 Chaffinches recorded today

The various weather fronts today made for some impressive views



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