Warblers, wagtails and a Wryneck

With easterly airflow dominating this week migration has stepped-up a gear. Good movements of Pied Flycatcher, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit have been seen at several coastal watchpoints; over 3,000 Swallows moved through Hengistbury Head, Dorset, on the 2nd September alone.

BirdTrack graph showing the Autumn increase in records

From the east, Wryneck topped the bill, over a hundred were reported, from the Isles of Scilly to Shetland. Other eastern delights included up to 10 Greenish Warblers,  around forty Barred Warblers and four Citrine Wagtails. Below is a link to video footage of a Wryneck that frequented a garden in Spalding, Lincolnshire. https://www.dropbox.com/s/xd2y7atbdvls5wq/Whatisit.wmv?dl=0

Wryneck by Jill Pakenham

Out in the north Sea, things were a little quiet, although a single Sparrowhawk, 3 Garden Warblers, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstarts and2 Meadow Pipits did visit the research vessel that is stationed in the Dutch sector of the southern North Sea.

With the weather looking a little unsettled for the early part of the weekend, and high pressure building for the early part of next week we could be looking at more of the same for next week, although the numbers of common migrants on the move could increase dramatically. We can look forward to more Meadow Pipits and Yellow Wagtails, a big increase in the hirundine movement, Wheatears turning up in odd places; whilst offshore, terns and skuas are well worth looking out for.

For those attending the Spurn Migration Festival (http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/), the BTO will have a stand and be taking part in migration walks and talks, it is also looking very promising for some good visible migration – see you there.