Arctic

This northerly air stream all the way from the arctic is getting wearisome and it makes it unseasonably cold for May! This morning Ian, Howard and Me had to take shelter behind the tower once again to record the migration at the Point. Normally at this time of year we would be stood on top of the bank with great views out to sea and a clear view to the west to pick up easily any vis, but not today!

We had clear skies at first, but cloud slowly built during the morning, and the wind was a keen 10 - 15 mph northeasterly! The one good thing about Spring is that it is an 'urgent' passage and birds are pretty much on the move whatever the weather conditions, within reason of course!

Straight away from first light Lesser Redpolls were on the move and their totals and the other vis is as follows (all east); 25 Lesser Redpolls, eight Tree Pipits, one Rook, 21 Swifts, one Meadow Pipit, one House Martin, 48 Swallows, one Sand Martin and two Carrion Crows.

The main feature offshore was the passage of Arctic Terns that were steadily heading east in to the bay, but some were doubling back and heading east again. They were constantly moving up and down, and were presumably feeding on a large shoal of fish. Offshore totals included 361 Arctic terns, six Sandwich Terns, 19 Auk sp., 14 Red-throated Divers, 14 Eiders, ten Gannets, 16 Whimbrels, 131 Common Scoters, four Mute Swans, a Guillemot, a Velvet Scoter, a Bar-tailed Godwit and four Common Terns. There was also an Atlantic Grey Seal bobbing around just offshore.

There was a few waders roosting on the shore and the most unusual in terms of habitat was a Common Sandpiper running around on the shingle! In addition to the Common Sand were 704 Dunlins, 141 Ringed Plovers and 102 Sanderlings.

 Roosting Dunlins, Sanderlings and Ringed Plovers.

Dunlins

Ringed Plover

I'm not sure what I'm doing in the morning, other than I will be out birding or ringing :)