Visible Migration pics up

Following yesterday's quiet morning - 4 Wheatears and 9 Siskin, today was a bit more like it. Eight Wheatears was a maximum for the year so far, as was the 100+ Siskin that passed over head in the first hour and a half. The first two Redpoll of the year moved through with a trickle of Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Greenfinch. Fifteen 'alba' Wagtails were frustraitingly too high to pick out any whites. Four Woodpigeon, 3 Reed Buntings and 2 Goldcrests were also present along with some 50 or so Meadow Pipits.

Sunshine, Wheatears and Snow Bunting - March 18th

Five fine male Wheatears stole the show this morning on the limestone pavements. Bright sunshine and a brisk wind meant that visible migration didn't particularly get going. However, four Crossbill passed overhead along with a trickle of Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Siskin. 12 Woodpigeon flew north, while the haunting call of two northbound Curlew peirced the air. Later in the morning Alan Davies scored with a Snow Bunting while a Blacl Guillemot on the sea was well picked out amongst the hundreds in not thousands of Auks offshore. A White Wagtail was the first of the spring, feeding above the cemetery, while 20+ 'alba' Wagtails flew west overhead. Several Gannets fed offshore, while Chough, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk were all in evidence. A single Great cretsed Grebe off the Old Cafe was also noteorthy.

Crossbills, Crests, Rock Pipits and Fulmars

Rob Sandham was on the Orme early morning and was rewarded with 12 Crossbills over the cemetery. He also noted another arrival of Goldcrests with 20+ birds in the bushes behind the cemetery. There was also birds in the hawthorns later on in the day, with 15+ birds dotted around. Rock Pipits were showing well around Marine Drive, while Fulmars were making a right racket from the cliffs and giving spectacular fly-bys from above. There are at least seven Stonechat pairs at the north end, with others around the summit and down in the gun site - what a fantastic turnaround since from the last couple of year which had nearly decimated them following the severe winters. 3 Chough were good to see as well as 5 Buzzards overhead.

Heulfre Gardens - the underwatched Orme.

Two singing Chiffchaff along Heulfre Gardens tyhis afternoon as well as a pair of Long tailed Tits nest building. Lots of activity with Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker both good Orme birds for the year. This side of the Orme is very underwatched and I bet loads goes missing here in during migration.

More Wheatears and a trickle of migrants

Five male Wheatears were on the Great Orme early morning, although theyr all seemed to move on pretty quickly. A single Reed Bunting was my first up here for the year, while a strange movement of Magpies consisted of at least 25 birds passing through. Some birds stayed in ones and twos, however the groups of 9 and 7 passed straight overhead and towards Anglesey. At least 6 pairs of Stonechats are on the limestones this year, while Meadow Pipits were in full display with 50+ birds present. Small numbers of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Siskins passed overhead while at least 5 Gannet were offshore. Kittiwakes and Auks are well and truly back on the breeding cliffs. A singled Mistle Thrush, several Blackbirds and 4 Song Thrushes were present and presumed migrants, as were the 6-7 Goldcrests dotted around. A strange record was 60+ Common Teal on the sea below the west cliffs.

First real migrants arrive today.

It's spring at last! A lovely morning on the Great Orme today saw the first arrival of Wheatears. Three cracking males and a female were on the limestones. Overhead, a Snow Bunting called and continued north while at least 35 'alba' Wagtails were on the move. A few Chaffinches and Greenfinches were present along with 10+ Siskin in two groups. Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Stonechats were all busy setting up territory along with three very noisy Chough. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

The 2012 Orme Season Starts!

An enjoyable few hours on the Great orme this morning produced a trickle of hoped for migrants. Grounded birds included 2 Fieldfare and a handful of Goldcrests. Overhead 30+ Siskin flew through with one flock of 16 low over the heather. Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and Chaffinches were also moving through in small numbers. There was also a strange movement of 20+ Magpies with one flock of containing 12 birds. Chough, Peregrine, Stonechat and Skylark all present, while seabird numbers were good with hundreds of Auks, Kittiwakes and a few Gannets offshore,