By Thomas Weston
Yellow-Browed Warbler on the Terraces by Thomas Weston
The day started with census, a good start to the day with Eleanor. Millcombe was a lot quieter than late, only a couple hundred Chaffinches compared to the thousands over the last two days. There were 15 or so Blackbirds, a few grounded Redwing, Song Thrushes, and Fieldfare, but nothing compared to recent. Alas still really nice to see. There were a couple of Goldcrest, small flock of Blackcap, but no Chiffchaff (though they were seen later by others). In the bushes around St Johns, the ringers caught a Jack Snipe and a few thrushes, however, by the time we got there, they were all packed up. Flocks of Stock Doves emerged through the fog, missing the counters on Castle Hill today, and totalled a very respectable 25 Stock Doves. Along to Rocket Pole Pond and our ringed Snow Bunting was present. Ringed two nights ago, it was still showing incredibly well and will be goodto track over the coming days, weeks, or months. Up to Stoneycroft and a flock of Chaffinches were disturbed by a very wet and bedraggled Kestrel. Maybe a bird who was escaping rain(!) somewhere!? Anyways, a grounded Song Thrush on the path, and a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks was nice to see. Pointless Wall held a female Merlin and nearby a Woodcock flushed from the long grass and headed towards Pondsbury. Could it be the one we saw circling the village last night? Along to Quarry Cottages yeiled a couple of Sparrowhawks and a couple of Peregrines, with 2 Stonechat on the field. Walking back a few grounded Song Thrushes and then into the Village for some good movements of Starlings. There was some admin tasks completed, before news of a Yellow-browed Warbler emerged down at Ruppells Quarry. Off I went to add to the national colour ringing project for the species, and with help from Tim the bird eluded being caught. Unfortunate, but nice to see some Chiffchaffs a Greenfinch and a few Blackbirds. A Merlin on the way back was almost certainly the one from earlier. The Tims reported very little on the West, with a wild Mallard and an equally wild Snow Bunting nearby.
Another sunset to end the daytime migration.