A hint of a thaw

10th January 2010 – early frost/sunny spells NE1/2/3/4
Offshore
A distant flock of at least 1000 Common Scoter continue to linger.
Grounded Migrants
Thrushes continue to dwindle with just 22 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush logged.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Lapwing flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Flocks of 124 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 38 Barnacle Goose remain along with 2 Gadwall and 2 Greenshank. Just 2 Woodcock were logged, presumably leftovers from yesterday’s influx.
Miscellaneous
An influx of Linnet was apparent with flocks of 100 and 30 logged – the highest numbers for several winters. A Peregrine surveyed the rather empty mudflats from a regular vantage point.
Image
Snipe are currently frozen out of their usual habitat and can be found sat around out in the open in the surrounding fields and hedgerows.



If visiting the island please try to avoid disturbance to roosting and feeding birds, the continuing freeze is now beginning to have a noticeable affect, especially amongst wildfowl and waders which are now starting to struggle to survive as temperatures remain below freezing.