Holmes Gut was difficult to work in the mist as I'd catch a glimpse of something then it would be gone. I did see at least 2 female and 1 male Blackcap with lots of migrant Robins (and one agitated resident Robin!). Loads of Fieldfare and Redwing. There was also a wave of Goldcrest, seemingly unaware, or unbothered by my presence hopping around at close range. Several Skylark were heard but not seen and lots of Chaffinch, and the odd Brambling were seen going through. There was also at least 2 Ring Ouzel present.
Brambling dropped down in front of me
Goldcrest
Goldcrest eating a moth that started out almost as big as the bird!
A quick walk along the cliff top in the half hour gap in the mist produced a single Snow Bunting flying north and a Brambling sat on the cliff-top. A flock of 11 Goldeneye flew south close in, they probably thought they were in the middle of the ocean, not over the cliffs! The cliffs were riddled with Blackbirds, I came across a one metre squared depression in the clifftop and when I was about 1ft away 8 unseen Blackbirds and a Redwing burst out of it! Lots of Robin and Goldcrest about too.
Brambling on the clifftop!
Robin - new arrival on clifftop
Whilst walking back to my car another Snow Bunting flew from inland back towards the coast.
Hopefully with improved visibility tomorrow might include some rare birds... something along the lines of Chestnut-eared Bunting or Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler would do, not so bothered about an Eastern Crowned Warbler though!
I hope you don't mind me putting this link on your blog but I feel that anyone with a love of birds should be made aware of this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/fury-at-minister-richard-benyons-astounding-refusal-to-ban-deadly-bird-poison-8215803.html
Thanks for the blog, makes great reading.