St Marys this morning,and flocks of southbound Meadow Pipits headed out over the sea. Most will winter in Iberia,where huge numbers can be seen , in some areas every bush and grassy verge seems alive with them in winter. 6 or 7 Skylarks chased each other over the west fields and a few Reed Buntings noted. Small flocks of Linnets,Greenfinches and Goldfinches fed in the bushes. A few Chiffchaffs called here too.
The Island held a good high tide roost of waders,gulls and terns,with Golden Plover dominating with around 600-700 present. 145 Sanderling, 90 Dunlin 41 Ringed Plover, 68 Oystercatchers and 120 Redshank made up the roost ,with my first Purple Sandpiper of the Autumn seen. Several Sandwich Terns and 2 Common Terns were among the gulls.
On the pond, 6 Gadwall,4 Wigeon and 9 Teal noted and 30 Swallows ,mainly youngsters, perched on the promenade railings waiting to be fed .
Later a bike ride near Ponteland in the warm sun and around 220 Swallows were gathered on wires near Milbourne with smaller groups at most farms prior to their departure for the winter. A pair of Buzzards drifted south , calling and another young bird called from woods. At Ingoe a large flock of Common Gulls followed tractors in fields,at least 1,200 birds. Tree Sparrow flocks were much in evidence too,with the largest around 100- 120 birds ,indicating a very good season for them. Chiffchaffs were calling in good numbers along the roadside hedges and a few Yellowhammers seen , having finally stopped singing ,the last one I heard was the prevoious week. One suprise which was still singing was a Treecreeper near Stamfordham.
A.S.J.