The last two days of September have been full of surprises with an American passerine, the Grey-cheeked Thrush ringed in Millcombe on the 29th, only the second for the island.
Grey-cheeked Thrush A. Croudace
Other ringing highlights included the first autumn passage Yellow-browed Warbler, Redstart and Treecreeper. A second Yellow-browed Warbler was also found in Quarter Wall Copse. Large numbers of Blackcap, Goldcrest and Meadow Pipit were present on the island with 102, 60 and 254 counted respectively. Other species recorded within Millcombe included 4 Firecrest, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Greenfinch and a Song Thrush. A variety of passerine species were noted passing over the Island with 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Redpoll and 18 Siskin the highlights among more common species including Swallow and Meadow Pipit. A Whinchat was also recorded. Other notable non-passerine species included a Water Rail in Millcombe, and a single Grey Heron, Ringed Plover and Sparrowhawk.
Yellow-browed Warbler A. Croudace
There were no sightings of the Grey-cheeked Thrush on 30th, however, a single Yellow-browed Warbler and 3 Firecrest remained in Millcombe. Greenfinch numbers were back up to 11 with a single Redpoll, 7 Siskin, 1 Grey Wagtail and a Song Thrush observed in Millcombe. The Water Rail and Grey Heron were still present and a single Golden Plover was seen briefly circling above the Village during the afternoon.