Thursday 17 April 2014

Following on from recent days, dawn broke with a fresh westerly wind, which gave the impression that there was not a great deal around; however, as the day progressed, the wind died down, and a fantastic selection of migrants moved through the island, many of which found their way into the open mist nets both at Cristin and at Nant.

Willow Warblers and Blackcaps were predictably the most numerous of the new arrivals on the island, with totals amounting to 69 and 51 respectively, as well as 36 Chiffchaffs. A total of 12 Grasshopper Warblers and six Sedge Warblers were seen and heard during the day, with the pleasant reeling song of the Grasshopper Warblers ringing out from many bushes around the island. A Turtle Dove at Nant was perhaps the best discovery of the day: this stunning bird is the earliest ever to be recorded on the island, with the previous record being on the 18th of April 1963.

In other news, a Great Northern Diver flew east past the South Tip; a single Common Sandpiper and four Whimbrels were seen around The Narrows; and singles of Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel represented the raptors present on the island.

Last year, we had just one Turtle Dove during the spring and autumn: a single on 5 June

A total of 98 birds were ringed during the day, most of which were trapped around Cristin before 1100. This total comprised the first five Grasshopper Warblers and seven Sedge Warblers of the year to be trapped and ringed, as well as Lesser Redpolls, Goldfinches, and the usual domination by Blackcaps and Willow Warblers...
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One of the smart Grasshopper Warblers that was trying to sneak through the garden unnoticed
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Sedge Warblers arrived in good numbers today, with seven birds trapped at Cristin, and several birds heard singing in the lowlands

1 comment:

  1. HI Wonderful to have seen and photographed the Turtle Dove. Never seen one on this country. The other shots are great also. Have a wonderful Easter.

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