Bird Sightings
12th-14th October - First Jack Snipe of autumn, more YBWs
The 12th October saw the largest passerine passage of the month so far, with the 13th and 14th feeling much quieter in comparison. Peak counts on the 12th included 250 Meadow Pipit, 375 Chaffinch, and 114 Redwing, along with other good birds in lower numbers including two Ring Ouzel, Brambling, Reed Warbler, and three Yellow-browed Warblers, with one being trapped and ringed. Three Yellow-browed Warblers were also present around Millcombe on the 14th, with none recorded on the 13th. Four Reed Bunting on the 13th represents the peak count for the autumn so far. Two Whinchat ranged south of Quarter Wall on the 14th. A bedraggled Stock Dove has been seen around the Village since the 12th, and the first Jack Snipe of autumn was seen today in Southwest Field. Merlin numbers appear to be on the increase with at least 4 birds on the 13th and 3 on the 14th. The long-staying Short-toed Lark appears to have departed with no sightings since the 11th of October.
Merlin beneath Benjamin's Chair ©Tom Williams
11th October - Barnacles, Brambling, and Buntings
Finch passage increased notably with 213 Chaffinch, 49 Goldfinch, 71 Siskin, and four Brambling, the first of the autumn, recorded today. 14 Barnacle Geese were seen touring the island around midday. A Lapland Bunting flew south along the west coast, and a Snow Bunting was feeding on the main track by the airfield. Three Reed Warbler were in Millcombe and St John's Valley, two were trapped and ringed. A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen by Millcombe Pond, and a Willow Warbler in Punchbowl Valley. Two Firecrest and a Spotted Flycatcher in Millcombe also. A male Ring Ouzel was at North Quarry, a Fieldfare was feeding in Barton's Field, three Grey Wagtail overhead, and a Tree Pipit flew west over Benjamin's Chair. Six Water Rail recorded today is a notable count for the autumn. Three Merlin and Two Sparrowhawk were recorded, and the Short-toed Lark was seen around its favoured cowpat.
Chaffinch in St John's Valley ©Tom Williams
10th October - Whooper Swans
Three Whooper Swan, two adults and a juvenile, were seen flying north up the west side of the island this morning, as well as being picked up distantly over Gannets' Combe by passengers on the MS Oldenburg. An increase in Thrush and Finch passage today saw three Ring Ouzel and 69 Redwing recorded in the morning, with 3 Siskin and 63 Goldfinch also tallied. 3 Firecrest were seen in Millcombe, a late Tree Pipit was heard at Belle Vue Cottages, single Grey Wagtail heard at Bramble Villa, and a Reed Bunting ranged across Quarter Wall. Hirundine passage is dwindling with a Sand Martin the highlight among 39 Swallow and 11 House Martin. 2 Merlin were seen, and singles of Golden Plover and Teal.
Ring Ouzel in flight over Millcombe ©Tom Williams
9th October - Yellow-browed Warbler colour-ringed
Today's highlight was a Yellow-browed Warbler ringed in Millcombe this morning - the first to be ringed on the island this autumn, and now sporting a unique combination of colour rings as part of a national monitoring project. Two Ring Ouzel were seen on census, with one bird on the edge of Millcombe and another on the Upper East Side Path. A Grey Wagtail, two Siskin, and two Firecrest were also seen in Millcombe this morning. Female Merlin, five Wheatear, a Common Ringed Plover, and four Golden Plover were recorded elsewhere. The Short-toed Lark continues to feed along the main track by Halfway Wall.
Short-toed Lark © Shaun Barnes