A nice walk around the airport as the dark sky builds from the north. The famous rocky field at the west end looked perfect for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, we approached (by appearance) with a faithful girl. Ruff in the pools created by the almost famous leaking water trough on the east runway. We flushed a single snipe here, and heard (but not seen) both Bar-tailed Godwit and Ringed Plover – it’s worth knowing your calls!
Besides a wonderful 42 Wheat in the rocky field, the airfield is quiet.
Ruff is really small, proving it’s a girl. Fresh plumage, with clean pale fringes on the scapulars, coverts and tertials, makes it look like a juvenile. |
On Sunday, we paid our final fieldwork visit to Grassholm Island of 2024. It was pretty much the same with migrants, including a Common Redstart2 Spotted Flycatchers5 Wheatear3 Willow Warbler3 Blackcapsand singles of Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler. To see such migrants on a distant rock outcropping is really exciting! (Dave and Lisa)
Grasshopper Warbler – on the rocks! |
Spotted Flycatchers – also on the rocks! |