Sunday 10 April 2011

Best spring day on Orme ever?




If not, it's not far off. Dotterel, Short eared Owl, 2 summer plumaged Lapland Buntings, 2 Yellow wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 ring Ouzel, Common redstart, Whitethroat, Grasshopper warbler, Garden Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 50+ Wheatear, 9 Golden Plover, Brambling, 2 Crossbill, 15+ Willow warbler, 10+ Chiff chaff.

Chris Bridge and Zac Hinchcliffe got a Red Rumped Swallow too!

Throw into the mix the 3-400 Redpolls that flew over. Many birds landed too which contained some interesting birds - four or five as 'classic' as you can get Mealies were seen, as well as this extremely pale bird. Arctic was mooted as it had a white rump, very white tram lines and white under tail coverts. However, is it butch enough? Is the bill as punched in as it should be (looks ok in some pics but not in others)? Are there too many streaks on the breast flanks?

The second bird was hudge - a monster of a bird (top bird here) . Big and dark with an extensive black face mask - could this be 'rostrata'?

Very interested in people's opinions.


3 comments:

  1. Certainly was the biggest redpoll we had and size stood out in flight too with the others as it flew in. Any 'rostrata' previously in Wales? Maybe Steve S could help.

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  2. Days like that are what it's all about. Wish i'd been there - had a nice Common Tern at Rostherne but it's not quite the same!
    Mike.

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