A superb day for visible migration, with Millcombe filled with the sound of Redwings from before first light. A conservative total of 1,000 was logged, the great majority of which were in and around Millcombe before 09.00 hrs. It was such a still morning that we were able to hear the sound of air rushing through the wings of Redwings and Song Thrushes as they plummeted into the valley from great height. Both species went from zero on 12th to 1,000 and 65, respectively today! Other species passing through in numbers included Meadow Pipit (400), Skylark (70), Linnet (200), Siskin (250) and Goldfinch (80). Among them were a late Tree Pipit, a Brambling, a Greenfinch, a Mistle Thrush, a Ring Ouzel, two Black Redstarts, three Wheatears, two Lapland Buntings, and a Snow Bunting.
There were two Jack Snipe and six Common Snipe at Pondsbury, and a high count of 19 Mallard (16 at Barton Pond, three at Pondsbury). Other waterbirds included single Golden Plover, Ringed Plover and Dunlin, 19 Oystercatchers, two Teal and a Cormorant. Warblers comprised 20 Blackcaps, the presumed eastern-race Lesser Whitethroat, a Common Whitethroat (wearing a ring, so a local retrap), 15 Chiffchaff (including at least one presumed tristis, Millcombe walled gardens), and single Willow Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler (both ringed). Goldcrests were less numerous than on 12th at 35, but there was a small influx of three Firecrests. A probable Red-throated Pipit was heard calling amongst a flock of Meadow Pipits in Tent Field and South West Field during the late morning, but the flock was dispersed by the attentions of both Peregrine and Merlin. What was likely the same bird was heard over Millcombe a short time later but neither instance was definitive.
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Firecrest, Millcombe Wood, 13 Oct © Richard Campey
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Presumed 'Siberian' Chiffchaff P. c. tristis, Millcombe 13 Oct © Tim Jones
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Ringing total 60, comprising: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, 2 Firecrest, 15 Goldcrest, 3 Redwing, 1 Blackbird, 6 Robin, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch and 6 Siskin.
Records contributed by Chris & Carol Baillie, Richard Campey, Tim Davis, James Diamond, Rob Duncan, Paul Holt, Andy Jayne, Tim Jones and Jac Turner-Moss.
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