Tuesday 22 September 2009

A Windy Start

Golden Plovers (c) 2009 Mike Williamson
Reed Bunting (c) 2009 Mike Williamson
Yellow Wagtail
Kestrel
Buzzard
Sloe Berries
There was a very strong westerly wind at Spurn today - not prefect for the 1st class of the new term; and certainly not the best direction for quality birds. This afternoon's class contained the greatest number of first-timers, so I would have preferred a northerly or easterly wind to have brought some interesting birds down. However, if we had been swamped with quality birds it's possible that the newcomers may have found too many unusual birds rather confusing. The radio buzzed into life just before the morning class was due to start with the call of a "large raptor" - this materialised as a Buzzard - not a common sight at Spurn. The best birds of the afternoon were the 5 Yellow Wagtails prancing about among the feet of the Long-horned cattle - one of which was very bright. Other birds seen included: Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Teal, Meadow Pipit, Shelduck, Golden Plover, Turnstone, Linnet, & young House Martins still in the nest. Anyone disappointed by the quantity and quality of birds this week, should find an improvement in future weeks.

No comments: