Tuesday 28 October 2014

Yank Wigeon Hybrid back?


Sunrise from Orcombe this morning.
 


Birds seen on Orcombe this morning included 25+ robin, 16+ blackbird, c50+ goldfinch, 3 chiffchaff, 5+ goldcrest, c50+ meadow pipit, 20+ chaffinch, 1+ sparrowhawk, c75+ woodpigeon, 2 stock dove, c150+ linnet, c60+ skylark, 14+ raven, 4+ reed bunting, c80+ jackdaw, 8+ greenfinch, c15+ starling, 4+ song thrush, 1 jay, 2 snipe, 2 rook, 2 grey wagtail and 4 turnstone. A quick look at the sallows in the Maer long -stay carpark produced a water rail and a couple goldcrests but still no yellow-browed.
I spent some time at Mudbank grilling what presumably has to be a hybrid drake wigeon x american wigeon hybrid. It looks remarkably similar to a bird I saw back in 2007 which I blogged about just the other day. This afternoon I took the dog for a walk around Woodbury Common where a female-type merlin was the highlight.
Yesterday I only managed about half an hour out in the evening but I managed to get my first purple sandpiper of the autumn on Maer Rocks.


42 Woodpigeon heading west. Doesn't feel cold enough for the big movements yet.
Two stock doves shortly afterwards headed straight out to sea.
 

Ravens
 


Dark-billed blackbird.
 

Goldfinch
 

Mixed Linnet and Goldfinch flock.
 

Meadow Pipits
 

Helice Clouded Yellow - one of three Clouded Yellows on the wing today. 4+ Red Admiral also seen.
 


Wigeon - Mudbank
 


Presumed hybrid Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid. Looked so good at times and even has gleaming white axillaries! Mantle, scaps and some flank feathers undeniably grey though unfortunately!
 

Dung Field last night.
 

Last night's Purple Sandpiper on Maer Rocks - first of the autumn.

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