Several visits to St. Marys over the past few days, in 20 degrees and warm sunshine,in the last throes of summer, provided some good birding, with migrating birds arriving from further north or departing for the south. Geese were again on the move ,with both Barnacles and Pink feet seen heading south,alongside Swallows and House Martins,Sandwich and Common Terns. Several Whinchats and a Stonechat seen on bush tops , before moving south. A family group of Stonechats were flycatching at Hartley.Each day, Skylarks very much in evidence, with a max. of 60 over the fields, with 30-40 Meadow Pipits,these too then moved south over the coast.
On the beach,the warm weather bringing out a large hatch of flying insects, attracted around 40 Pied Wagtails,2 Greys and 30 Meadow Pipits,with 5 Rock Pipits. 2 juvenile Wheatears with them. 2 other Wheatears seen near Hartley. A Purple Sandpiper had arrived on the rocks,with a high tide roost of 111 Oystercatchers, 86 Sanderling and 2 Bar tailed Godwits. The Golden Plover flock has reached almost 2,000 now, a fine sight when they all took to the air as a Peregrine,which has been seen on 4 recent days,put in an appearance. It failed to find a meal. In the fields to the west, flocks of around 200 Lapwings , 500 Starlings and 350 Linnets and also in the air as the Peregrine headed towards Holywell. Rooks , Carrion Crows and Jackdaws over the woods completed a sky full of birds.
On the wetland, a Water Rail briefly flew and 6 Reed Buntings fed in the reeds. In the bushes, a Lesser Whitethroat called,then showed well and several Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests noted,the former even singing in the sunshine. 50 Goldfinches fed here and on the water, Teal,Wigeon,Gadwall and Mallard noted.
A.S.Jack