RXwildlife Sightings

Lots of birds on the move this morning, easily seen from the car park, from the track to the Quarry, or best of all from the high corner of the Quarry nearest to Warren Cottage, where coasting birds funnelled up the glen by onshore winds were rushing close by.
The low sunlight made all of them look glowing silver once they became visible, especially Sparrowhawk and Hobby as they twisted across the rough meadows.
Most numerous were Swallows, House and Sand Martins, with Siskins in second place then Meadow Pipits.
Other species passing in small numbers were Linnet, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Yellow Wagtail with just a few Tree Pipits, Grey Wagtails, Crossbills and a lone Reed Bunting, high overhead.
On the ground, Coal Tit & GS Woodpecker could also have been migrants.
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Highlights from Castle Water yesterday included Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler at the viewpoint. Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 1500 Lapwing and 100 Sand Martin from the hide, Grey Wagtail, 3 Green Sandpiper and a Greenshank were on the new excavations. Also of interest, while out on the islands infront of the hide Forest Bug, Water Scorpion, Water Stick Insect and a Caddis Fly case probably belonging to the genus Limnephilus which was made mostly from small water snail shells.

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A very strong migration of Siskins is taking place at the moment, their plaintive little contact notes coming out of the sky every few minutes. Against the overcast, flocks of up to 60 are not difficult to pick out as they dash along the coast. I wasn’t making a careful count yesterday morning, but at least 500 must have passed me in the 3 hours I was out. In comparison, other day-time migrants were rather few, headed up by hirundines, then Meadow Pipits, with a couple of Grey Wagtails and a single Crossbill.
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Opinions vary as to the best time to go looking for birds. The virtuous early riser may catch a few birds before they are disturbed or set off on their day’s rounds or journey, but is likely to be cold and dazzled by the low sun, as well as getting footwear soaked with dew. However, many small migrants only seem to get going once the world has warmed up a bit. I found this the other morning along the Brede, when my initial walk was picturesque yet birdless apart from a couple of Whinchats sitting on web-festooned Wavy Hair-grass.
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