Monday, October 24, 2011

Hernar 24 October 2011 - Migration!

Fresh south-easterly and SUNNY. Very warm for so late in the year.

A SUPERB day spent birding Hernar. There was non-stop action from dawn until we left at 16:45. Plenty of visible migration and lots of stuff on the island itself.


 Rook kornkråke
 Twite bergirsik - numbers have now dropped to only seven birds
 Above and below Little Auk alkekonge - good numbers passing with many at close range

 Goshawk hønsehauk
 Above and below Sparrowhawk spurvehauk

 Red-throated Diver smålom
 Female Blackcap munk
Part of a Waxwing sidensvans flock

Highlights included a Two-barred Crossbill båndkorsnebb and a Rook kornkråke (both new species for the island), 10 Waxwing sidensvans, two Lapland Buntings lappspurv, a Jack Snipe kvartbekkasin, at least one Water Rail vannrikse, Short-eared Owl jordugle and Goldfinch stillits.

The supporting cast included a couple of Great Northern Diver islom, 700 or so Little Auk alkekonge, a couple of Goshawk hønsehauk, several Sparrowhawk spurvehauk, a Woodcock rugde, four rather late Swallows låvesvale, a Wheatear steinskvett, small numbers of Twite bergirsik and around 20 Red-throated Diver smålom.

Hundred of thrushes, 150 or so Woodpigeon ringdue, several flocks of Greylag grågås, Bramblings bjørkefink and a steady passage of Common Gull fiskemåke meant there was always something to see.

At least seven Blackcap munk and a couple of Chiff-chaff gransanger also present.

What a day!



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