Bird Sightings

On census, birds around the Village included 3 Mallard seen in Barton’s Field around the pond. A large gull flock, that involved loitering birds and local breeders, included 8 Great-Black Backed Gull, 80 Herring Gulls and 14 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls. Offshore of Benjamin’s Chair, 80 Guillemots, 20 Razorbills and 100 auk spp were present. A single Woodpigeon, single Willow Warbler, single Chiffchaff, single Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats, 10 Wrens, 6 Blackbirds, single Song Thrush, 2 Dunnocks, 2 Chaffinches, 18 Linnets and 4 Goldfinches were in Millcombe. In the Fields, 5 Carrion Crows, 5 Ravens, 3 Skylarks, 46 Starlings, single Wheatear, a single Stonechat and 12 Meadow Pipits were seen.

Ringing

Manx Shearwater from the Manx Colony. ©Thomas Weston

A busy night survey for Manx Shearwaters resulted in the oldest bird caught being originally ringed as an adult in 2007. At the time this bird was potentially already 4 years old making it at least 22 years old!

On census, birds around the Village included a single Mallard seen in Barton’s Field, 3 Feral Pigeons in the Camping Field, 5 Collared Doves around Quarters, 3 Swallows, and 19 House Sparrows. From the Ugly, 8 Shag were in the Landing Bay. A large gull flock, that involved loitering birds and local breeders, included 7 Great-Black Backed Gull, 235 Herring Gulls and 24 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls. Offshore of Benjamin’s Chair, 26 Guillemots, 61 Razorbills, 2 Puffins, 7 Manx Shearwaters, and a pair of Rock Pipit. Millcombe was quiet with 6 Woodpigeons, a single Chiffchaff, single Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats,14 Wrens, 5 Blackbirds, single Song Thrush, 2 Robins, 5 Dunnocks, 4 Chaffinches, 13 Linnets, 6 Goldfinches. In the Fields, 20 Carrion Crows, 3 Ravens, 4 Skylarks, 32 Starlings, 4 Wheatear, a single Stonechat, 14 Meadow Pipits and 4 Pied Wagtails were spotted.

Our first Manx Shearwater at our study colony. ©Thomas Weston

The first Manx Shearwater chick of the year from the artificial boxes was seen today, having hatched either today or yesterday.

No sightings today due to weather and commitments.

Collared Dove from the Lambing Shed. ©ThomasWeston

However, a Collared Dove was caught and ringed in the Village today.

Migrating Grey Heron from Rocket Pole. ©Thomas Weston

On census, 3 Mallard were seen in Barton’s Field around the pond, 7 Collared Doves around Quarters, and 18 House Sparrows. From the Ugly, 3 Oystercatchers and 11 Shag were in the Landing Bay whilst two individual Grey Herons flew past heading North to Pondsbury. A large gull flock, that involved loitering birds and local breeders, included a single Great-Black Backed Gull, 88 Herring Gulls and 4 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls. Offshore of Benjamin’s Chair, 48 Guillemots, 106 Razorbills, 29 Puffins, 50 Auk sp., a Rock Pipit, and a single Gannet. Nearby, a pair of Peregrines were seen in the distance, a flock of 8 Swifts came in off at Benjamin’s Chair and a Hobby flew in off at Castles before both species headed high North. Hirundines were thin off the ground but included 5 Swallow and 4 House Martin. Millcombe hosted 2 Woodpigeons, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, single Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats, the majority of the 17 Wrens, 10 Blackbirds, single Song Thrush, 4 Robins, 4 Dunnocks, 5 Chaffinches, 17 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches. In the Fields, 10 Carrion Crows, 7 Ravens, 6 Skylarks, 33 Starlings, 8 Wheatear, a single Stonechat, 13 Meadow Pipits and 4 Pied Wagtails were spotted. The only bird of great note was the Carrion Crow x Hooded Crow Hybrid.