Sunday 10 November 2013

Clear weather efforts highlighted by decent view of flyover Snow Bunting

Heysham Obs
The main feature of interest this week has been finches ringed elsewhere with two Greenfinch from unknown locations, a Goldfinch ringed on Walney and two Twite ringed at Machrihanish.  One of these was caught today and found to be a 'new' bird, not as previously thought from field views (and Janet's pics) a returning bird from previous winter.  The other one was definitely ringed this autumn and therefore new.  A Twite ringed at Sanda Isle and caught last winter was also retrapped today

Vis mig 0725-0830
Woodpigeon - our contribution to coordinated vis mig count was zero!
Chaffinch - 51
Goldfinch - 5
Meadow Pipit - 2
Greenfinch - 11
Snow Bunting - male south at 0800hrs
Redpoll spp - 2
Bullfinch - notable was a flock of 5 south followed by two singletons
alba - 2 south (definitely not ex-roost)

Grounded
Blackbird - much reduced as expected in clear conditions - just 8 seen by office
Chiffchaff - one by obs t pond first thing
Goldcrest - 4 by office