By Thomas Weston
When I awoke, the calmer winds made our accommodation seem a bit more stable and still. A positive sign for the day ahead! Whilst getting ready a message came through saying there was a Wood Warbler in Millcombe. The first of the year and a rather stunning warbler, in my opinion.
Greenfinch in Millcombe by Thomas Weston
We attended travel day meeting, and I set off to begin census. A Yellow Wagtail was heard flying over Barton’s Field and a Greenfinch heard singing before being spotted in the trees were the first two birds noted. An amazing start. Walking through the top of Millcombe and it seemed active; a few Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs bounced along the bushes and a Pied Flycatcher was seen flycatching from the bottom of the pines. We have suspected our Goldcrest have been busy nesting, and it was nice to see the female hopping around the pines and feeding up, maybe collecting food, or perhaps failed. It is hard to tell.
Blink and you miss it, Wood Warbler in Millcombe by Thomas Weston
The Landing Bay has been a bit of a blow out recently. We dream of passing terns, small gulls and skuas, but these seem to arrive on the south coast of the UK, cut across inland, and pop out on the River Severn/further up the Bristol Channel. Demarking the channel/Atlantic means the best I could muster were a couple of Shag and Kittiwakes plus the usual large gulls. Back in Millcombe and the sounds of Dunnocks, Goldfinches, Linnets, Blackbirds, Wrens and even our Song Thrush were active today. I bumped into the Tims’ and spotted a Blackcap and saw the Wood Warbler too before it became more active and headed off up the valley
Dunlin Barton's Field Thomas Weston
A member of public reported a Common Redstart male, though sightings throughout the day noted at least two around the island. Another staff member turned up and showed a photo of three Yellow Wagtails in Lower Lighthouse, all of the ‘British’ Flamissma.
Blue Headed Wagtail female in Bartons Field. ThomasWeston
However, they relocated to Barton’s Field and were joined by a female Blue headed Wagtail and a male Channel Wagtail too, plus a White Wagtail and one of our breeding Pied Wagtails. And to add to the Wagtail craziness, a Dunlin remained showy all day and was even seen on census too.
Out of Millcombe and our Razorbills were back in force, over 300 were noted this morning. More excitingly, a pair of Rock Pipits appeared on Benjamin’s Chair, after noting their scarcity recently, it was nice to have them back. Walking through Southwest field and all three Hirundine species came through. Then a Tree Pipit was flushed by a Meadow Pipit before heading off towards the chair direction. Walking to Old Light and the Whimbrel was still present, looking less tired but still feeding well. Upon reaching the lighthouse and another Tree Pipit dropped out of the sky and hid in the long grass. It was nice to see and presumably was the bird I saw heading North over me when crossing the Airfield. Quarter Wall held a nice Wheatear pair, whilst a singing Whitethroat was a nice spot. The rest of census was good with Starlings, House Sparrows, and a Peregrine to name a few of the species overhead.
An afternoon wander to help with the feral game stock drone surveys and species of note included Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, a few new Whitethroat, and the Wagtail fest.