Several visits to St. Mary’s Island over the last 2 days produced a good selection of birds. On the 5th, a noticable passage of southbound Meadow Pipits was taking place with flocks of birds moving through and others stopping to feed in the fields. Perhaps 200 birds were involved. Also,25-30 Skylarks were doing the same. Several calling as they chased each other high above. Around 50 Swallows and 20 House Martins fed over the fields, and Lapwing numbers have built up to 120+,counted as they headed west . Also increasing were the Golden Plover numbers, with now 800-900 estimated . A count of Ringed Plover on the rocks revealed 52,many of them juvenile birds. Sanderling have reached 200, noted feeding at very close range on the beach,with 20+ Dunlin and 20 Turnstone. A Sparrowhawk and a female Kestrel were seen and in the bushes 2 juvenile Whitethroats remain from the locally bred population. 6 Reed Buntings and around 50 Linnets seen too.
Two visits today, the 6th,totalling 7 hours, offered up many of the same birds , with Skylark numbers increasing. I added 3 Whinchats,a juv.Stonechat,10 Wheatears and 2 Great spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Goldcrests and a Yellow Wagtail in the area. Also 22 feeding Pied Wagtails and a Grey,which flew over calling. On the beach,among the large numbers of feeding waders, were 2 juv. Little Stints and a red Knot. Two Great Northern Divers were reported to me,flying north offshore by a fellow birder. A Gadwall rested on the sea.
In the nearby cemetery, 2 Pied and a Spotted Flycatcher were noted and a male Bullfinch seen.
A.S.Jack.
