Common Sands Over the Sands

Due to work commitments I have neglected the 'obs' recently so I was desperate to get there this morning, hopefully to ring, but the stiff northeasterly wind meant that ringing wasn't an option.

The northeasterly wind started fairly light at dawn, but after only an hour or so it was at least 10-5 mph in strength. Even so birds were on the move and the strangest record of all were 6 high flying Wheatears heading north! The remainder of the 'vis' cast included 6 Woodpigeons, 62 Goldfinch, 11 Swallows, 2 Carrion Crows, 44 Linnets, 4 Alba Wags, 4 Lesser Redpolls, 14 Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 White Wagtails, 11 Swallows, 113 Meadow Pipits and 5 Siskin. 

The only reasonably numerous grounded migrants were 23 Wheatears in addition to a single Willow Warbler. Where are all the Whitethroats?

Out on the sea were 9 Sandwich Terns, 4 Razorbills, 3 Auk sp., 3 Gannets, 2 Shelducks, Red-throated Diver and an Atlantic Grey Seal. With eyes seawards and ears skywards I heard Common Sand calling and picked two birds up flying along the beach. They kept looking as though they were going to land but perhaps weren't too keen on alighting on the shore. 

Back home in my moth trap all I had was a single Hebrew Character, which wasn't surprising based on how cold it was overnight. The forecast for tomorrow is for near gale force northeasterly winds with a rain front coming in from the south mid-morning. Mmm!