Look out for Greenland White-fronts this week

The light westerly winds and clear days of the last week prompted the predicted huge movement of Woodpigeons, 50,800 were counted flying over Swanscombe Marshes, Kent in a single morning. Woodcock arrived in small numbers along the east coast and Fieldfares finally arrived in number; 20,000 were counted coming in off the sea in one hour on the 11th at Snettisham, Norfolk, along with 50,000 Starlings.

Starlings by Tommy Holden

So, what might happen this week.?

Greenland White-fronted Goose by Chris Mills

The weather over the weekend promises to be a mixed bag. For most of us Saturday looks like the better day and, with light westerly winds, at least in the southern half of the country and the North Sea, Redwings, Starlings and Fieldfares could be on the move again. But it is the early part of next week when things might get a little more exciting. Cold north-westerly winds straight from Greenland and Iceland look like they could bring snow to parts of the UK, along with Greenland White-fronted Geese, Icelandic Redwings and a few white-winged gulls, Glaucous and Iceland are the most obvious but a Ross’s Gull would be much appreciated.

Glaucous Gull by Peter M Wilson

As the week progresses it is forecast to get colder, and if this results in frost ground we might see the first cold weather movement of Skylarks and Lapwings.