Saturday 28 February 2009

27th/28th February 2009

The first night-time wader ringing attempt of the year resulted in just a single Purple Sandpiper and a Dunlin (below). The Purple Sandpiper was particularly pleasing as it was the first to be ringed for five years and will now give observers the opportunity to look for the distinctive colour rings on this bird (red over pale green on the right leg). There appeared to be a flock of more than 30 Purples roosting the night high tide on the cliff ledge at the north west corner, but very few other waders about the main island.



Early morning brought a female Peregrine hunting the shore (above), and a total of 140 Brents including 2 dark-bellied (below).





Just a small hint of spring to come with movements of 15 Meadow Pipits, 7 Pied and 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Redwings and a Skylark, while Song Thrushes were notable by their absence for the first time this winter.
(JE,CJ,CJW,DNW,PGW,SRW,+DW,RW) photos CJ

No comments: