Tuesday 28 March 2017

28th March

Weather: SE-3, clear to start heavy showers later

The first good fall of migrants occured today with the mornings 'rounds' producing 16 Wheatear, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 House Martin , 17 Sand Martin and at least 180 Meadow Pipit moving north. Typically at the Lighthouse many of the mornings Wheatear had moved on by lunch time leaving only a couple remaining in the coastal paddocks. By late afternoon the weather had deteriorated and a heavy shower around 16.30 saw another 16 Wheatear grounded in the paddocks. 

Highlight of the day was a Grey Partridge, found by two of the lighthouse regulars as it flew across their path into the long grass. Later on it was seen perched on top of the cable bund in the inland fields. Since ceasing as a breeding species Grey Partridge has become extremely scarce. March seems to be the best time for seeing this bird here. Not generally considered a true 'migrant', it is almost uncanny how a bird recorded in 2015 was seen within two days of todays record, on March 26th.

Grey Partridge (Tim Kinch)

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