Short eared Owl hots up cold windy morning

A super Short eared Owl brightened up a dull, gloomy, wet morning. The bird flew in off the sea and landed on the North eastern cliffs before moving into the braken area below the dung heap. The bird was seen on a few occassions as it patrolled the cliffs, presumably looking for Meadow Pipits which were present in good numbers. 100+ Mipit were along the cliffs sheltering from the wind. Three Redpoll and 15 Siskin moved through low over the pavements, while a single swallow moved up the small valley; my first of the year here. Two Willow Warblers were in the hawthorns behond the cemetery.

Red and Yellow fever - it's no April fool!

The perfectly still morning was ideal for a bit of visible migration and after a quiet first half hour, the Redpolls started moving. At least 100 birds were seen on the headland with many more passing overhead. One 'classic' Mealy Redpoll landed briefy amonsgt a small flock of Lessers behind the churchyard and I'm sure I had a few others. A Ring Ouzel called and flew down towards the reservoir. A few Goldcrests, Chiff chaff and finches kept the interest going. Star bird of the day came in the form of a fine male Yellowhammer. It was first heard calling high above the pavements before suddenly appearing in the hawthorns by the wall, singing its head off! The first of the year and a good one to get for the Orme year list. 25+ Magpies and 40+ Woodpigeon were also on the move.

This fine male Lesser Redpoll was in the gorse at the North End.
Highlight of the day - a singing male Yellowhammer on the limestone wall!
I suspect that this is a Mealy Redpoll - pale, nape, underparts, vent and undertail coverts and wing bar. Pity I didn't see the rump - I'm sure it would have had a nice pale one.
Magpies on the move - 25+ birds through today.

Goldcrests are still moving, although in smaller numbers. This one was behind the Churchyard.

Northerly winds put pay to rush of birds.

The last two mornings have been bleak and cold with very few migrants. Star bird today (Saturday) was a dashing male Merlin over the limestones with a small trickle of Siskins, Redpolls and other finches kept the interest going. It looks as if the next week will be hard going with a cold northerly airflow looking set to stay until Easter weekend.

Willow Warbler arrives in full song.

The lovely sound of a singing Willow Warbler greeted me on arrival in the Churchyard today. A showy bird was present in the hawthorns at the back. Five Chiffchaff and two Goldfinch also present. Quiet otherwise with a small finch movement including 40+ Lesser Redpools, 5 Siskin, 20+ Chaffinch and 25+ Goldfinch. Linnets are moving through too with 15+ birds. A showy Raven, 2 Chough and a Kestrel entertained while 2 Mistle thrushes were down by the reservoir - they didn't have rings on so were different birds from last week.

Redpoll movement begins in earnest.

It always gives me a buzz seeing something slightly or subtely different. After watching many Lesser Redpolls on the Orme already this past few weeks, this morning saw a big increase in the number of Redpolls over. I managed to tempt some 50+ birds down into the hawthorns with the iPhone, with many more passing overhead. The bird above appeared with one group - paler than accompanying Lessers, nice white rump with white tramlines up the back, a white disk around the cheek, white vent and undertail coverts with a few dark streaks, much less buffiness on the whole, all just about visible in the one picture I managed to grab of it before in continued North West - surely a Mealy? Another was caught on Hilbre today - not a million miles away as the crow flies - pics of that one here - http://hilbrebirdobs.blogspot.co.uk/
Amazingly just 2 Siskins were involved in the movement; a huge reduction. Other birds seen this morning included a cracking male House Sparrow which accompanied a group of 6 Chaffinches. Sparrows are a good bird on the Orme away from the town border areas. Spring is certainly the best time to see them, but even then only a handful of birds are seen each year (possibly less records than Mealy Redpolls!). A Wheatear, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Chough and a Peregrine made up the best of the rest.

Going North, Arriving from South!

This morning saw a wonderful sunrise with calm sunny conditions. Isle of Man (picture above), Lake District and Liverpool were all visible with the naked eye! A female Black Redstart was by the cairn, using the wall as cover, while a male and female Ring Ouzel were extremely mobile, ranging all ove rthe pavements and were seen on and off for an hour prior to 8am. Three Redwings were the highlight for me, allowing great views as they sat on the pavements - true migrants looking shattered from their journey. From what i can see they are Scandinavian birds (good to know we've got two types to look out form know as I'm sure Icelandic birds turn up too). Goldcrest numbers had decreased with only 4-5 present, with two Chiffchaffs still in the hawthorns. Redpolls were still on the move with 40+ birds moving through with 10 or so Siskin. A few Woodpigeon and Magpies were on the move too. Shame I had to leave for work soon after 8am!

Great Orme Bird Obs opens!

Today saw the first ringing session at the Churchyard. Rob Sandham and Kelvin Jones have cleared an area of ferns and can now easily erect mistnets. This mornings going was slow but the potential was certainly there to see. By 9.30a.m. they ahd caught Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush and a Chaffinch.
No sign of last nights Short eared Owl seen coming in off the sea by Rob Hughes (dodgy pic below). Not as many birds today although a male Ring Ouzel brightened up proceedings being seen by the dung heap and then in the hawthorns (dodgy picture below). Plenty of Redpoll were on the move with 80+ birds, many using the hawthorns to rest, a single Crossbill calling, 20+ Siskin, 5 Chiffchaff and 20+ Goldcrests. Coal Tit was also present as well as 100+ Meadow Pipit, 12 Pied Wagtails and 43 Woodpigeon through.


Rob Hughes' dodgy picture of a Short-eared Owl which came in off the sea last night - a sgreat sight.

Stonechats are busy nestbuilding on the limestones.

80+ Lesser Redpoll were seen in various sized groups. Only a matter of time before the first Mealie I hope.

A distant dodgy picture of today's Ouzel - can you spot it?

No Willow Warblers yet, but plenty of Chiffchaff about, including some singing birds.