Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Over they go!

Spot the dots - thrushes galore over the Farnes today

Counting the lot - Jason on the obs roof on Brownsman

Tuesday 27th October comments:
Another day, another on Brownsman. There has been no escape since last Monday and today was no different. The wind increased overnight from the south-east and the sea prevented any escape, so it was a case of “life goes on” in a Farnes kind of way (just without any milk or sugar!).

On a positive note, the day produced an impressive movement of Thrushes, as birds moved from the near-continent to winter in the UK. The Farnes act as a key flyway for passage migrants and today saw a typical movement, as good numbers of Blackbirds, Redwings and Fieldfares were logged throughout the day. The spectacular sight involved small flocks moving west with the occasional bird dropping in onto the island looking for a deserved well earned rest. How many actually moved across the North Sea down the east coast today will never be known but it must have involved some huge numbers.

Highlights:
Thrush passage west:
Blackbird 1,736
Redwing 1,506
Fieldfare 766
Also Lapwing 3, Woodcock 6, Goosander female north, Merlin hunting, Skylark 4, Richard’s Pipit 2 – as happy as ever together on Brownsman, Willow Warbler, Brambling 6, Snow Bunting 5 together and Reed Bunting 2.

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