Another Pallid Swift through this morning, this latest bird (potentially our 5th in 4 days) appeared over Mannez quarry and hung around for about an hour, long enough for local birder David Child to get a photo (see below).
Ringing this morning included Penduline Tit, Yellow Browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Cetti’s Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker (locally a scarce visitor). The Cattle Egret is still at Kiln Farm.
Magnificent views of 2 Pallid Swifts over and around the lighthouse and Fort Quesnard for almost 20mins, the two birds headed south-west just ahead of 4pm. Sadly no photos but still an excellent record.
Also today another Yellow-browed Warbler was ringed, the 13th of this autumn.
A good morning (see previous post) became an even better afternoon as we experienced a PM fall of migrants mainly Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs but also a very late Pied Flycatcher. A couple of Wheatears and around 30 Black Redstarts were reported from around the island. Also seen were single Cattle and Great Egret and at roost a Reed Warbler.
Fieldfares, Starlings and a Kestrel were ringed, the highlight however was a Western Bonneli’s Warbler found at the campsite by visiting UK birders Vince and Louise.
This morning’s highlights, a Purple marbled in the moth trap, also our 8th Yellow-browed Warbler ringed this autumn and 10+ Black Redstarts seen in the census area.
Photo Matt Scragg: Purple Marbled Moth
