Not the best weather for a days bird watching, especially with a strong to gale force westerly wind, which really picked up along the coast this morning and then continued throughout the day with squally showers.
It was great shame as Matt and Richard were down here for the day from Swindon, but we didn't do to badly as it turned out.
We met up at the Observatory around 8:00am and almost immediately were treated to a Firecrest calling just off the patio at the back off the Obs.
Having got off to good start we headed off to the Bill via the quarry, which was very quiet, bar a Wren and a Robin. The Bill though was a lot better and in the shelter of the Lighthouse we managed at least 59 Common Scoter, 3 Great Skua, 5 Kittiwake and a handful of Razorbills & a Guillemot.
At times the visibility was really poor, so it came as no surprise when the fog horn was turned on. Pretty noisy when you're stood right under it.
Its loud............
As always the Gannets took centre stage as they glided up and over the "Races", whilst both Cormorants and Shags passed through in small numbers.
Around the Lighthouse were good numbers of Rock Pipit. Normally there are a few pairs along the rocks here, but we had at least 20 if not more, all scattered along the short grass here. One individual appeared lighter in colour and for some reason was the centre of attention of some of the other "normal" individuals. In the end it was chased off and disappeared over the edge of the cliff. We shall never know!
I was just saying to Matt, that I've not seen a single male Wheatear this Autumn and as Matt rightly pointed out, most of them lose that grey on the head when they migrate south. So apart from being slightly darker they are almost female coloured in appearance. And then lo and behold a male popped up next to us with just a tinge of grey on the head. What timing. Okay it wasn't totally in breeding plumage, but compared to other moulting males it was clear that this individual wasn't in a big hurry to moult through yet.
Also here we came across a lone Turnstone, but no Purple Sandpipers yet.
From the Bill we decided to walk up behind the Pulpit Inn and then make our way along the Crown Estate Fields in the hope that we might come across some birds in the low lying bushes. Sadly all we had was a female Stonechat, though we did fair a lot better with around 500+ Linnets in the Fields.
We popped into the Obs to drop off our scopes and then headed off to the Top Fields and then down to Culverwell. Well we made it to Top Fields, dry, were there were a dozen or so Skylarks fighting against the wind, but when we got to Culverwell the heavens opened up again. The best we could do here was 1 Chiffchaff, a Robin, Blackbird, Wren and a solitary Song Thrush. The only highlight as we took shelter was a Rusty Dot Pearl moth, taking shelter on a leaf.
As the rain eased we crossed the main road and headed down to the coast path. En route there were plenty of Meadow Pipits in the horse fields and then sadly we found one hanging off a barbed wire fence, its leg trapped in the jaws of the barbs. At first we assumed it was dead as it was blowing about in the wind, but as I carefully freed its leg, it was evident it was still alive. We decided that we would find a sheltered spot and let it recover in peace. It might be lucky and for the second time today it was a case of "we shall never know". Here's hoping.......
We carried on down to the coast path, passing a field of around 20 Great Black-backed Gulls, a few Herring Gulls and at 6 Oystercatchers.
Along the coast path we came across more Rock Pipits, Meadow Pipits and Linnets. Not sure what it was but all the gulls took flight in the field and the Oystercatchers flew off and landed on the rocks out to sea. A bit further along another two were seen.
Once behind the Obs we followed the path up through the beach huts and came across a male Stonechat. After a quick look in the quarry again, with nothing seen we headed back to the Obs for our cars and then onto the Cottage for a well earned cup of coffee.
Here a few photos from this morning:
Turnstone
A "typical" Wheatear at this time of year.
Here a male that is just starting to moult.
A Great Skua with a Shag below it
Another shot showing those white wing flashes.
Common Scoters
Here is another flock with a light brown coloured female second from the rear.
Two Kittiwakes make their way past The Bill.
A Gannet, one of many passing through here.
So many Linnets in the Crown Estate Fields.
A closer shot of them.
An unusual sight, they actually settled. Most of the time they were very flighty.
An adult Great Black-backed Gull. A formidable gull.
And finally 3 Oystercatchers.
Birds Recorded were: Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, 59 Common Scoter, 1 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, 3 Great Skua, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Kittiwake, Razorbill, Guillemot, 2 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, 20+ Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Also 1 Red Admiral and a Common Dronefly
Later
After coffee we headed off to The Fleet in the hope of some of the Brent Geese and Red-breasted Merganser reported there at lunchtime. Unfortunately by the time we got there at 2:15pm they had all flown off.
We did get though Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, 50+ Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin (try as I could I couldn't find another!), 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Curlew, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Starling.
And finally a tweet came through that a Little Gull had just been seen in The Fleet and I'm pretty sure I saw one on the far bank and then it disappeared. The 3rd "we will never know".
Not quite how we had planned the day but great to catch up with Matt and Richard. Hopefully next time Snow Buntings, Lapland Buntings and other specialities.