6 Sand Martins, 5 Fieldfares and a Black Redstart were the pick of the passage birds during this mornings census, as is often the case a better indication of the movements of passerines was evidenced through the ringing research.
50 new birds included a Sparrowhawk, 4 continental Song Thrushes, 31 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler (acredula) 8 Blackcaps and a fine adult male Ring Ouzel (image by Matt Scragg).
3 Sand Martins were the pick of the spring migrants today, 4 Black Redstarts jostled for position on the same dilapidated quarry building at Mannez and a rare local spring record concerned a Bullfinch ringed along with two Reed Buntings.
Photo – Reed Bunting at Longis this morning by Matt Scragg.
A small influx of Chiffchaffs this morning included 10 that were ringed along with Firecrest, White Wagtail, Stonechat and Meadow Pipits. A pair of Shelduck graced Longis Bay, visual migration included a flock 21 Blue Tits headed NE and a Fieldfare. A light shower this afternoon deposited more migrants including a smart Black Redstart on the lighthouse garden wall and four Reed Buntings (a locally scarce spring visitor) on Longis reserve. Also today a Mandarin duck at Corblets quarry which interestingly is not an escape from our local ornamental waterfowl collection.
Photos (JH) Today’s Mandarin Duck
Some movement of Stonechats today with 9 together at one site and over 20 within our census area.
It was however an Oystercatcher on Fort Raz this afternoon that really got my attention, the combination of colour rings and tag on this individual should make for an interesting research history which we will post/share here once we have the details.
Photo (JH) Todays ringed Oystercatcher.