'Jays Fluid...Very Fluid'

Swannery birding highlights of the week...

1st to 7th October 2012

The main highlight this week was the continued Jay passage... There were small flocks seen from Monday to Wednesday with around fifty birds in total but on Thursday eighty plus flew west with another thirty at least on Friday. As for Saturday and Sunday I wasn't working the weekend so I wasn't out and about early enough to see any (as they only seem to be moving in the mornings) but there were sightings elsewhere in Abbotsbury so they were still on the move. Other diurnal migrants on the move were Swallows, House Martins, Meadow Pipits, Siskins and a few Skylarks. Grounded nocturnal migrants included numerous Chiffchaffs, several Blackcaps, a few Reed and Sedge Warblers and the odd Wheatear and Whinchat.

Common Chiffchaff on the edge of Chapel Withybed today.

Waders were still rather sparse with one or two Dunlin most days, up to four Common Sandpipers, several Snipe, up to three Turnstone and the six Lapwing still.

Two (Ruddy) Turnstones on the Tern Island yesterday. One of these or another was on 'The Bund' on Friday.

The only raptor of note was again the male Marsh Harrier that reappeared today after being absent for over a week.

Adult winter Herring Gull still growing its new primaries...
there were no gulls of any note seen this week (not even a 'Med').

Duck numbers improved with daily totals peaking at 250 Teal, 50 Gadwall, 20 Shoveler, 10 Pintail and 10 Wigeon. While Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Pochard numbers appeared to remain constant (though I have to admit I never got round to counting them!).

The long-staying 2nd year male Goldeneye, looking more like an ad. winter every day (courtesy of Charlie Wheeler).

So nothing really to get excited about this week but with the first real influx of Glossy Ibises of the autumn arriving in Cornwall over the weekend I think it's about time one of these made The Swannery list... in the meadow one morning this coming week... now that would be much appreciated!

An immature Little Egret on the meadow pool this week showing pale legs (courtesy of Charlie Wheeler)...
any thoughts of a rarer egret can be discounted by it's all dark bill and lores.