Bank Holiday Migrant Day - SE winds produce.

A night of South Easterly winds meant that there were plenty of birds on the Great Orme this morning. The majority of birds seemed to favour the limestone areas and good numbers of common migrants were seeking shelter from the brisk wind. Three Redstarts were seen, 2 males and a female including a showy bird on the limestones feeding out in the open. A cracking male Whinchat below the cairn was welcome as they have been thin on the ground this year. Five Yellow wagtails, three over and two superb males present - by the churchyard and along the northern edge. 15+ Tree Pipits were present, with a few groups of birds. Five together landed close by after flying in off the sea, including this one photographed below. Six Crossbills were overhead, while Redpoll numbers were up - 250+ birds through. Unfortunately the brisk wind made the iPod usless today for bringing birds down. Pete Alderson had two Mealies in with a flock of 50+ birds that landed on the hawthorns. Three Whitethroats were along the wall along with a grounded Blackcap and a few Willow Warblers. Two Lesser Whitethroats continued to sing near Powell's Well. Siskins, Goldfinches and all three hirundines were also on the move. 70+ Wheatears were present early on, but almost all had moved on as the appraoching rain covered the headland by late morning. Two pairs of Black Guillemots were below the cliffs and were seen flying up to the cliffs - surely a sign that they are breeding here. All in all an enjoyable bank holiday morning.