Offshore
An early morning scan over the sea yielded just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Shag, Common Scoter and Kitiwake.
Grounded Migrants
A small influx of Song Thrush was evident.
Diurnal Migration
The first hour after dawn saw 17 skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 2140 birds heading north. A few passerines were also on the move with 23 Skylark and single Rock Pipit and Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A check on the flocks of wild geese wintering on the island revealed an increase with 121 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 35 Barnacle Geese found. At least 5 Greenshank remain and a flock of 2600 Dunlin fed on the edge of the ebbing tide.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 ringtail Hen Harriers remain and the lingering Common Buzzard found the view from the catching box of the heligoland trap to its liking. Additional raptors included Merlin, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl and Little Owl. Also seen were a flock of 160 Twite and 2 Little Egret.
Ringing
The Twite flock held birds previously ringed at Machrihanish, Heysham and the Duddon Estuary.
Images
Common Buzzard and Hen Harrier.
