This Whimbrel (darvic ringed - left leg green, right leg yellow D63), one of two off Mudbank today, was ringed by Tony Cross at Llansantffraed, west Wales on May 8th 2015. Apparently hundreds were ringed but there have been very few recoveries. Lee Collins recorded it at Dawlish Warren from April 8th - April 30th 2016 and it is, of course, thanks to Lee that I have this information so quickly. I knew as soon as I'd clocked this bird that Lee would be able to help and, as usual, he didn't disappoint. Many thanks Lee!
Orcombe was again quiet this morning. I was up there for 0640 but recorded just 6 Willow Warbler (all singing), 1 Meadow Pipit and 1 Wheatear. Pretty rubbish for this time of year but apparently no worse than anywhere else locally. The Yellow-browed Warbler has been in its two favourite trees pretty much all day and Mudbank was pretty good on the incoming tide - 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 160+ Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Redshank, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Sandwich Tern and 3 Peregrine.
A Willow Warbler has been singing out the back and 2 Swallow flew through midday.
Wheatear - Orcombe Point - so scarce so far this spring. Hopefully they've all gone straight through on to breeding grounds.
When this photo was taken the Yellow-browed Warbler was static on a perch and singing. Up until today it's been delivering its song whilst on the move. You can see its bill open. Unfortunately the video recorder on my camera has been broken for quite some time, which is a real shame because it would have been good to record this rare ( on British soil) event.
Hi Matt. I walked Orcombe at about 8.30 - just after you - and didn't hear any WW or the Wheatear, so looks like they moved straight through.
ReplyDeleteHi Nick - yep don't think any migrants are hanging around in these conditions. It was even quieter this morning - best birds 2 drake teal.
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