By Thomas Weston
In the Village
Greg conducted census today and spotted a Stock Dove and a Snipe at Rocket Pole Pond. Tim conducted a visible migration watch at Castle Hill spotting 268 Chaffinches, 26 Redwings, 24 Fieldfare, 22 Blackbirds, 6 Song Thrushes, 246 Starlings, 3 Stock Doves, 7 Skylarks, 14 Meadow Pipits, 1 Alba Wagtail, 6 Bramblings, 4 Greenfinches, 4 Goldfinches, 3 Linnets, a Reed Bunting, single Merlin, single Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, and 2 Sparrowhawks.
Walking North
Merlin on Halfway Wall by Thomas Weston
After yesterday's Yellow-browed Warbler played a game where it actively avoided the net for the National Colour Ringing Project (see project details for more details), Eleanor and I checked Ruppells Quarry for any other stray warblers. We found a single Blackcap in the quarry, whilst 2 Greenfinches flew overhead. We decided to continue northwards. Visiting birder Chris reported a Snow Bunting around Halfway Wall. We quickly found this young female hopping around the path and sighted a flyby Snipe and a few grounded thrushes plus a female Merlin sat on the wall. Walking through the gate, it was nice to hear a Reed Bunting flying south along the track. We continued northwards and ended up at North End where we saw 4 Woodpigeons migrating off the island heading for Wales. Beneath us, a Black-headed Gull flew NE, and a Lapland Bunting flew south from North End where it was later seen and heard by Tim as he walked past three quarter wall. We spotted a Common Gull heading NE past North End too, a nice species to note on this great day of migration.
Pondsbury
Jack Snipe at Pondsbury by Thomas Weston
We walked back along the west coast, passing Tim around Middle Park where a flock of 8 Golden Plover flew over our heads heading North. We went to check Pondsbury, having left the area for a few days. Walking down, we found a female Teal, 2 Mallards, 8 Linnets, 5 Snipe, 6 Fieldfare with a Mistle Thrush headed north, whilst a Snow Bunting drank from the pond before heading off towards Dead Cow Point. We went back for some refreshments but came back later where we located 4 Jack Snipe hiding in the rushes.
Meanwhile, Tim found a new Yellow-browed Warbler on the Terraces, and a Firecrest at Quarter Wall Copse.