Bird Sightings

An evening wander to OldLight. ©Thomas Weston

Census was warm but breezy. Millcombe was the hive of juvenile activity today, although passerine juveniles heard/seen throughout the route. Also, 2 Woodpigeon, a single Collared Dove, single Willow Warbler, single Chiffchaff, single Blackcap, 2 Whitethroats, 22 Wrens, 9 Blackbirds, single Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnocks, 4 Chaffinches, 18 Linnets and 5 Goldfinches were seen. The Landing Bay held 6 Shag and a single Oystercatcher. Off Benjamin’s Chair, a Kittiwake flew South,138 Guillemots, 41 Razorbills and 3 Puffins were present. Large gulls across the route included 3 Great-Black Backed Gull, 119 Herring Gulls and 6 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls with nests for all three seen – hopefully some juveniles soon! The fields were productive with a Kestrel hunting one of the 53 Starlings, a Peregrine also hunting Starlings, 3 Ravens, 6 Skylarks, 6 Pied Wagtails, 8 Wheatears, a Stonechat, 20 Meadow Pipits and a flock of 15 Carrion Crows. A couple of fully fledged young Rock Pipits were a pleasant surprise at Old Light today and showing incredibly well. In the Village 9 Mallard were seen in Barton’s Field including 3 almost fully grown ducklings, the local House Sparrows have successfully raised young across the Village and we have experienced an influx of Feral Pigeons with 6 seen today.    

On census, birds around the Village included 3 Mallard seen in Barton’s Field around the pond. A large gull flock, that involved loitering birds and local breeders, included 8 Great-Black Backed Gull, 80 Herring Gulls and 14 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls. Offshore of Benjamin’s Chair, 80 Guillemots, 20 Razorbills and 100 auk spp were present. A single Woodpigeon, single Willow Warbler, single Chiffchaff, single Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats, 10 Wrens, 6 Blackbirds, single Song Thrush, 2 Dunnocks, 2 Chaffinches, 18 Linnets and 4 Goldfinches were in Millcombe. In the Fields, 5 Carrion Crows, 5 Ravens, 3 Skylarks, 46 Starlings, single Wheatear, a single Stonechat and 12 Meadow Pipits were seen.

Ringing

Manx Shearwater from the Manx Colony. ©Thomas Weston

A busy night survey for Manx Shearwaters resulted in the oldest bird caught being originally ringed as an adult in 2007. At the time this bird was potentially already 4 years old making it at least 22 years old!

On census, birds around the Village included a single Mallard seen in Barton’s Field, 3 Feral Pigeons in the Camping Field, 5 Collared Doves around Quarters, 3 Swallows, and 19 House Sparrows. From the Ugly, 8 Shag were in the Landing Bay. A large gull flock, that involved loitering birds and local breeders, included 7 Great-Black Backed Gull, 235 Herring Gulls and 24 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls. Offshore of Benjamin’s Chair, 26 Guillemots, 61 Razorbills, 2 Puffins, 7 Manx Shearwaters, and a pair of Rock Pipit. Millcombe was quiet with 6 Woodpigeons, a single Chiffchaff, single Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats,14 Wrens, 5 Blackbirds, single Song Thrush, 2 Robins, 5 Dunnocks, 4 Chaffinches, 13 Linnets, 6 Goldfinches. In the Fields, 20 Carrion Crows, 3 Ravens, 4 Skylarks, 32 Starlings, 4 Wheatear, a single Stonechat, 14 Meadow Pipits and 4 Pied Wagtails were spotted.

Our first Manx Shearwater at our study colony. ©Thomas Weston

The first Manx Shearwater chick of the year from the artificial boxes was seen today, having hatched either today or yesterday.

No sightings today due to weather and commitments.

Collared Dove from the Lambing Shed. ©ThomasWeston

However, a Collared Dove was caught and ringed in the Village today.