14th October

With the big high pressure system sitting right on top of us it was a glorious day with not a cloud in the sky, hardly a breath of wind and once the sun got going (there was an early morning frost) warm temperatures; I wasn’t ringing this morning so I went out round the coast first thing but there had obviously been a clear-out of many birds as totals included 7 Wheatears, c50 Rock Pipits, the Common Sandpiper still, a Short-eared Owl and a few flocks of Crossbills, Goldfinches and Siskins heading NW.

                I concentrated on the inland areas through the rest of the day where it was a pretty good day’s birding especially for Woodpeckers as totals included at least 3 Three-toed Woodpeckers (maybe four), at least 4 Black Woodpeckers (maybe up to 6), a Grey-headed Woodpecker in Lebeltet (the first of the autumn) and 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers.    Raptors were also well represented in the fine conditions with a Rough-legged Buzzard, 2 Common Buzzards, a Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels and awesome views of a Peregrine hammering into a flock of Jackdaws repeatedly but ultimately coming away empty taloned.

                Other birds of note included the first 3 Northern Bullfinches of the autumn, 3 Lapland Buntings in the stubble fields, a confiding Great Grey Shrike, 2 Mistle Thrushes, a nice male Stonechat and a Jack Snipe in Gunnarsmyra, a single House Martin with 56+ Swallows and a few flocks of Bramblings, Chaffinches and Siskins heading NW.

 

She made several awesome stoops into the flock but just kept missing!

She then got part of the flock treed but couldn't get at them

and then had to give up!

Rough-legged Buzzard

Great Grey Shrike

Black Woodpeckers were bombing around all over the place

Kestrel

Latest prey choice - the silly juvenile Shelduck that's been hanging around in Sevika (basically asking for it!)

Lots of insects still on the wing in the warm conditions today; a Common Darter and a Black Darter here.   There were also quite a few Migrant Hawkers around and a little late movement of Red Admirals across the area