Saturday 15 September 2018

Wintersett, Saturday 15th Sept

South-west wind dropping off in afternoon, cloudy with 'murk' in morning,

Top Res- remnants from last nights gull roost were still present at dawn, Great Black-backed Gull 2 adults, Caspian Gull 1 juvenile, Yellow-legged Gull at least 5 adults and 3 juveniles.
A juvenile Black Tern relocated to the CP about nineish where it remained for the remainder of the day.
Country Park - the high congregation of Cormorants remain with at least 76 present. The regular Little Egret came in during the afternoon, Shoveler 13, Lapwing 180, Common Sandpiper 1, Water Rail 1, Hobby 1.

Vis-mig - one of the better days of recent years with a good movement from early morning to midday. An Osprey went south-west over Haw Park at 10.40, a Marsh Harrier south at 13.25. three skeins of Pink-footed Geese (first of the autumn) totaled 105, 4 Ringed Plovers south and a total of 23 Golden Plovers went west. However, the main movers were a local favourite (many vis-miggers favourite) - Meadow Pipits - a total of 2264 flew south, almost all before midday. This is our fifth ever highest count since regular counts began in 2011, but still some way behind the record of 4735 in September 2011. Hirundines were also moving with 523 House Martins (plus 120 feeding), 54 Swallows and 3 Sand Martins.

Ringing - a few warblers were caught, the best being a Willow Warbler.

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