A few birds on the move this morning on the Great Orme. Highlight were 3 Lapland Bunings that came out of the sheep fields and landed briefly on the old telegraph hill, befor continuing west towards Point Lynas on Anglesey. One bird was a male coming into summer plumage - superb! Around 20 Meadow Pipits flew west along with 8 Siskin, 5 Chaffinch and 6 Pied Wagtails. While chatting to Adrian Foster at the car park we heard an 'out of place' call. It soon dawned on us that it was a Yellowhammer and careful scanning revealed a female on the gorse. This is an annual migrant on the Orme in vey small numbers, so it was good to get it on the Orme year list so early in the year. A Reed Bunting flew over also. No Wheatears yet, but an arial battle between the Ravens and Peregrines showed spring is certainly on the way.
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Bunting Bonanza!
A few birds on the move this morning on the Great Orme. Highlight were 3 Lapland Bunings that came out of the sheep fields and landed briefly on the old telegraph hill, befor continuing west towards Point Lynas on Anglesey. One bird was a male coming into summer plumage - superb! Around 20 Meadow Pipits flew west along with 8 Siskin, 5 Chaffinch and 6 Pied Wagtails. While chatting to Adrian Foster at the car park we heard an 'out of place' call. It soon dawned on us that it was a Yellowhammer and careful scanning revealed a female on the gorse. This is an annual migrant on the Orme in vey small numbers, so it was good to get it on the Orme year list so early in the year. A Reed Bunting flew over also. No Wheatears yet, but an arial battle between the Ravens and Peregrines showed spring is certainly on the way.
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Had an hour around Great Orme cemetery area this morning seeing one crossbill over, 10 greenfinch, 8 chaffinch, 5 meadow pipit, 2 siskin, a kestrel and a peregrine bombing along low over the gravestones the best birds seen. Offshore 2 gannets.
ReplyDeleteI had a calling Golden Plover just after you left, plus a couple of Chough above the cliffs.
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