12th May

Once again, plenty of birds were still around from earlier in the week to brighten the daily census, and a small number of freshly arrived migrants included some species of interest. An elusive Corncrake was heard singing near the airfield during the morning, although it couldn't be relocated later on. The first Crossbill for over a month was a notable sighting, and 2 Goldfinches and a Greenfinch were also uncommon finches. New raptors included 2 ringtail Hen Harriers and a Sparrowhawk. The male Red-backed Shrike was still around the north of the island.

Counts of some small migrants, the majority of which were lingering birds from previous days, came to 22 Tree Pipits, 4 White Wagtails, 10 Robins, 8 Redstarts, 1 Whinchat, 193 Wheatears, 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 27 Willow Warblers and 4 Chiffchaffs. A couple of Herons flew in and spent the day on Ancum Loch, 5 Carrion Crows appeared and a mass arrival of Arctic Terns brought more than 300 to the island.

We have ringed 11 Tree Pipits already in 2012, equalling the best ever annual total.

Bagikan ke :

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