randombirder

A much more sedate day after the carnage of yesterday which was quite a relief.  It's great seeing rare birds but the associated mad dash and in some cases - the lack of distancing - makes the event less enticing than what would be expected during 'normal' times. Heading first to Penninis where a couple of vocal Crossbill flew over and a couple of Raven drifted by.  This Peregrine put in an appearance while battling a stiff breeze.  A Wheatear was seen near Pulpit Rock. An attempt to connect with the Swainson's Thrush were all in vein as the bird wasn't sighted at all today. An amusing chat with Rob Lambert and Cliff Smith made my morning as we watched a showy Yellow-browed Warbler bounce thorough the willows near Nowhere. A vocal tail-dipping Chiffchaff was present there too. A Small Copper basked in the strong sunlight. We then took a long walk around the island - hugging the coastline and taking in the backdrop.  A couple of Grey Seal were seen close in...

There was a lot of activity today with marked passerine movement across the southern periphery of the Isle.  Hirundine movement was particularly noticeable. Highlights were nine Wheatear that included an aerial migrating group of seven - something I hadn't really seen before.  A minimum count of 15 Yellow Wagtail were typically flighty, the majority of which were juvenile birds.  Four Grey Wagtail flew along the coastal, showing more signs of movement.  A Peregrine shot past over the sea. I eventually made it to the area that had in previous days looked good for migrants to find the Redstart still present in the same area for its third day.  It had been joined by a single Spotted Flycatcher that was actively hunting insects along the line of scattered trees.  Five Common Whitethroat were also present there as were three Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaff .  A total of seven Willow Warbler (below) were seen on the walk. This juvenile Common Bu...

It's been a few weeks since visiting my new patch and it was interesting to see an increase in wildfowl. At least 45 Wigeon were present on the pits with six Shoveler .  There were some real highlights that included 120 Lapwing and 70 Golden Plover passing overhead. A Common Snipe and Little Egret were present on the islands. The main highlight was a juvenile Peregrine that flew in at speed and pinned a Teal, tearing chunks out of it while it despairingly attempted to wriggle free.  Nature at its savage best.