Saturday 11 June 2011

Baby Birds and Black Red


One of many juvenile Linnets on the Limestones today.

Unfortunately I've not given the Orme the time it has deserved recently with family illness, work and a few weekends away. Superb early morning on the headland today with a few migrants still moving and lots of young birds being fed. The 1st summer male Black Redstart (presumably the same as last month) was a real surprise along the limestone wall. Other migrants included 3 flyover Crossbill, 12 Collared Dove and a Stock Dove. Family broods included 8 Chough with at least 4 juveniles amongst them, a family of 6 Ravens (4 young), 2 fully fledged broods of Stonechat, family parties of Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Coal Tit and by far he most numerous birds being Linnets. The 'chipping' calls the young were making being a constant feature of the limestones today - at least 5 broods present. 5 Porpoise and 30+ Gannet offshore too. Didn't want the morning to end!