Sunday, 22 September 2013

More Of A Mipit Morning

It was a better morning this morning, or at least because of clear skies it was light earlier, and the wind was a bit stronger being a 10 - 15 mph SSW. Too windy again for mist nets so I did my usual circuit of the Obs.

There were no grounded migrants this morning as it was more of a 'vis' morning. There was a distinct lack of Swallows and a slight increase in Meadow Pipits (Mipits). In total heading south I had 65 Meadow Pipits, nine Swallows, six Grey Wagtails, 14 Alba Wags, eight Linnets and a Reed Bunting.

The sea was murky and very quiet with just a Cormorant, 48 Sandwich Terns, two Auk sp., a male Eider and a male Common Scoter.

On the southern sides of the hedges it was warm in the sun and there were a few butterflies about. I had four species that were Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper, Speckled Wood and Small White.

 Small Tortoiseshell

Small Copper

Speckled Wood

It is forecast for light easterly winds tomorrow so I'll be heading to the Obs to do some ringing and general monitoring of migration. I'll let you know later how I get on.

1 comment:

Mallimak said...

We had 1200-1300 Swallows over our roost site last night although we only caught three.

With our winds swinging round to the North by Tuesday ours should be heading your way soon.

We have already had two juveniles ringed back in mid-August been retrapped in Aberdeenshire.