Eider

Immature male Eider in Sandy Bay.

Orcombe, early doors - 1 Eider, 9 Common Scoters, 1 Dartford Warbler, 1 Cirl Bunting, 5 Stonechats, 3 Song Thrushes, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, c350 Woodpigeons, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3+ Siskins, c50 Redwings and c60 Chaffinches (west). In the top fields - c50+ Skylarks and a small number of Meadow Pipits.

A limited number of counts from Mudbank included 37 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Grey Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, c40+ Black-tailed Godwits, c140 Dunlin, 62 Turnstones, an adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. Other wildfowl were not counted. Nearby - 2 Cirl Buntings were along the cycle path near West Lodge, when Lu and I walked the dog, before lunch.

Yesterday, a short spell on Orcombe, in poor weather, produced c50+ Redwing, 1 Eider (Sandy Bay), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and c275 Kittiwakes, about 175 of which were on the Straight Point ledges.

A flock of 25 Fieldfares was feeding on Rowan berries at the back of our house, on the Warren View pitches, and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were noted off Mudbank (adult and second-winter).

Olive-tree Pearl - Palpita vitrealis. Other immigrant species, trapped last night, included 1 Silver Y, 1 Turnip, 1 Rush Veneer and 1 Vestal.

A common species but one I don't often see, mainly because I rarely run the trap at this time of year - Large Wainscot.

Vestal.

One of two Red-green Carpets in the trap this morning.

 

This may be a new arrival or it could be the Cirl Bunting last seen on Orcombe on 27/10. They're pretty good at hiding. Another two birds were found at West Lodge today.