Highlight of an excellent morning was a superb Dotterel by the cairn on the limestone pavements. The bird was flighty early a.m., but soon settled on the short grass near the cairn and was extremely confiding and even ran towards me to a distance of 10 yards at one stage. The bird was still present at 9.40am at least. Other highlights included a Mealy Redpoll which alighted briefly on the wall with 7 Lesser Redpoll. Redpoll passage was excellent with 300+ birds flying west and some groups of up to 70! Another highlight was a stonking full summer plumaged 'northern' Golden Plover. Three male Ring Ouzels showed well at the norh end and over 50 Wheatears were present including several Greenland birds. Two flavissima Yellow Wagtails joined the constant westward movement of Meadow pipits, as did three Tree Pipits. The churchyard held 2 Crossbill, 5 Blackcap and over 20 Willow Warbler were on the headland. Sounds a bit more like May doesn't it?!
Sounds great. I'm tempted to get up there myself now!
ReplyDeleteExcellent mornings birding. Know what you mean about the feeling of May, most stuff is back several weeks early but at least the insect food is equally advanced so the migrants should do ok. Spot'Flys next maybe?!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Marc.. I planned to go this morning for first light, but decided a lie-in was the prefered option at 6am this morning- that'll teach me!
ReplyDeleteCommon Redstart and Gropper seen by Julian Whelrake and Tom Gravett this morning too - not a bad haul.
ReplyDeleteNice to see that you got a chance of some pictures in the end! Far better than we got.
ReplyDeleteI was just about to leave, and dip, this morning when a shrill call from behind caught my ears and I got on to the bird as it rocketed north out to sea. Thankfully it turned round and dropped back in on the limestones straight in front of me. Also 2 male Ring Ouzels still showing at the northern end and a Tripit over while I was there.
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