Wed 14 Oct – First major winter thrush movement

The birders on the island this week (Tim Jones, Tim Davis, James Diamond, Ivan Lakin, Kevin Rylands and Martyn Roper) report a major arrival of thrushes, with 500 Redwing, 125 Fieldfare, 1 Ring Ouzel, 8 Song Thrush and 4 Mistle Thrush. The first Woodcock of autumn was located on the Terrace. Also present was a Common Rosefinch (fling around Millcombe & St John's Valley during early morning movements of passage migrants), a Little Bunting (western end of Quarter Wall), a Lapland Bunting (calling in flight over Quarter Wall), a Redshank (on Rocket Pole Pond!), 3 Lapwing, 12 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat and 4 Coal Tit. Diurnal migration was light, with only 125 Meadow Pipits and 30 Swallows passing through, but there were an impressive 75 Red Admirals.

1st-winter Pied Wagtail outside the Tavern, 14 Oct. © Tim Jones