This morning the there were 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in Longis Bay along with a Turnstone, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 1 Grey Plover. On the Obs roof a female Black Redstart and a fine male Black Redstart on the football pitch. Swallows continue to trickle through with 12 seen today. The deluge of Redwings came to a comparative halt but was succeeded by some large flocks of Fieldfare with about 250 over Essex Hill late morning and another 80 over the Obs pm. Groups of Chaffinches passed over throughout the day with total of about 240. Other visual migration included 20 Siskins. David Child reports 2 Golden Plovers on the airfield and 2 Wheatears on the south cliffs. Also 7 Lapwings at Platte Saline. Joe England also reports the Lapwing flock along with other birds in the clonque area including 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Firecrest, 1 House Martin, 5 Swallows, 2 Siskins, 10 Little Egrets, 58 Curlew and a Ring Ouzel.
The ringing team stretched across 3 sites this morning and returned 139 new birds ringed. At Essex farm 27 new birds were ringed including 1 Firecrest and 11 Robins. At Longis 46 New birds were ringed including 1 Firecrest, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Starlings, 9 Redwings and 3 Song Thrushes At Mannez 66 new birds were ringed including the Penduline Tit now present for 3 days. Also 30 Robins and 11 Redwings.
Penduline Tit – Mannez Quarry – Photo – Paul Veron