I couldn’t resist the chance to head up to the Holy Island area once again today. Staying on the island over the high tide,I avoided the usual crowds that seem to be a permanent feature here these days. Amazing temperatures for October and warm sun greeted the hundreds of incoming migrant Redwings which seemed to be everywhere on the island today.120 were feeding on the “football pitch” , an area of cut grass along the Straight Lonnen,more gorged on the abundant berries and flocks of 100,30,60 and 100 again headed off the island,over the flats towards the mainland,battling a fresh south westerly. Among them were 3 Ring Ousels,8 Song Thrushes and many Blackbirds,as well as migrant Starlings,watched arriving along the north shore. The total number of Redwings was around 550-600. Yellow Browed Warblers appear to have been present all this week,and 2 remained today in the village gardens,elusive in the wind. A Blackcap fed along the Straight Lonnen and Stonechats seen here and at The Snook. A late House Martin and Swallow were good to see around the village and a few Brambling heard and seen here too. At the Crooked Lonnen, up to 3 young Kestrels were playing together in the air,seeming to revel in the wind,when a Sparrowhawk took exception to their presence and stooped at one of them several times,the raptors scattering the many thrushes here. The Lough held 112 Teal,tucked in, in the lee of the reeds but was otherwise quiet. At Chare Ends, 3 or 4 Skylarks were singing,nice to hear this month, and around 50 noted in total. A Merlin sat atop a bush in the dunes.A Little Egret caught fish at the causeway.
At St. Cuthbert’s Island, a large roost of Knot and Bar tailed Godwits and on the mud flats, the Golden Plover flock seemed to have doubled in size in a week with at least 2,000 birds present. In the thousands too were the Brent Geese,now approaching 3,000 in number,a fine sight and sound.
At Beal Farm,the wires to the north held 4-500 Linnets.
Heading now around to Fenham Mill, where c 5,000 Wigeon gathered with many Shelduck, more Brents and numerous waders including several Grey Plover feeding on the exposed mud. Here another little Egret noted. A group of Long tailed Tits moved through the trees and a Common Buzzard caused brief panic among the duck and waders.
A.S.Jack
