Yesterday saw a relatively early and stronger than usual September passage over the Sands of Pink footed geese with at least four parties counted totaling 200 birds all heading south east. As usual it was great to welcome back the 'pinkies' what with all their winking and squealing as they flew over in their high flying skeins. What a very pleasing early autumn spectacle to raise up the spirit. Not sure why such a heavy early passage is taking place but it may indicate a lack of food available further up north - or is it because we have so many stubble's left due to a late harvest? Whatever the reasons hearing the'horns of gabriel' (an alternative nick name for PFG) again certainly made the day feel a little more special!
And most days seem to see a few different species being seen, thereby exemplifying the recent rise in the migration tempo. Yesterday saw the first coal tit of the autumn and a juv arctic tern while the day before saw a strong early morning 'vis mig' passage of meadow pipits, yellow wags, siskin and two grey wagtails, plus a good number of house martins just for good measure.
The harrier roost is starting to build up strongly all of a sudden after a fairly quiet period with 14 marsh harriers counted in the air all at once on Tuesday evening. There has also been regular sightings of merlin and peregrine too but no sign of any hen harriers as yet.
The female bittern finally stopped feeding her young last Sunday and things have now gone very quiet with only one sighting since. The good news was that she fledged at least two young in what has apparently been a very difficult year for many sites with bitterns further south in the UK.
Still a nice selection of waders on site (see last blog for full details) while the water rails still continue to entertain on Townend and at least 1 - 5 pintail are being seen on Singleton lagoon.
And wadertastic mate, green sandpiper on Marshland (by Tim and Si)