Tuesday 20 September 2016

A new DUNLIN and a major increase in WILDFOWL

MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
 
Flogging a dead horse!
 
With light northeasterlies and grey skies, it felt promising for IVINGHOE HILLS but in the event, a VizMig vigil from 0900 to midday produced just a single Eurasian Barn Swallow migrating east! I was flogging a dead horse in the bushes too with just a single Common Chiffchaff in the scrub at the far east end of Gallows Hill and a male Blackcap singing in Top Scrub. A single Red Kite, 17 Goldfinch and 16 Meadow Pipits completed the list, while just below the car park, 4 Robins were vying for territory space.
 
Over at WILSTONE RESERVOIR, the biggest change has been in the wildfowl numbers - a huge increase. For example, PINTAIL numbered 16 (although I hear Steve Rodwell had 27 at the weekend), while Gadwall numbered 18, Common Teal 312, Mallard 216, Eurasian Wigeon 208, Tufted Duck 301 and Northern Pochard an outstanding 192. The GARGANEY was still present, while waders were represented by 181 Lapwing, Common Sandpiper and a new migrant juvenile DUNLIN (Roy had also seen 2 Ringed Plover briefly earlier). Little in the passerine line other than 2 Goldcrest, 3 Grey Wagtail and a large tit flock comprising of at least 8 Blue Tits
 







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