A strong headwind on Saturday subdued movement although the watch was not without interest with a locally uncommon Yellow Wagtail, a fem/Juv Merlin and 2 Arctic Tern the main highlights and only 18 Tree Pipits-it sounds wrong to complain about a number that would be a decent count at many sites.
The wind was forecast to drop off overnight which bode well for a big passage of Tree Pipits on Sunday. I thought as we are still in the main passage period for TP's that it would be a good count but I was also pretty convinced that the record breaking 275 birds on August 5th was the peak of this passage. Nope-today saw the record smashed again with 312 birds over! Tapes were on for a ringing session which no doubt helped attract birds in again and I was able to spend longer counting today.
As we enter the second half of August it was noticeable that the variety and counts of other species increased today with the first prominent passage of Meadow Pipits, double figure counts of alba and Grey Wags and a steady trickle of hirundines. I went back for a short watch in the afternoon, something I want to do again in the next few weeks when the weather looks good for departing raptors. Hoping to add something like a migrant Honey Buzzard or Marsh Harrier to the patch list.
The PM shift today did produce yet another Fem/Juv Merlin through while an impressive kettle of 11 Buzzard over the hill probably isn't true movement but an impressive sight all the same.
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