Friday, 21 October 2016

Wild WHOOPER SWANS!

I had just arrived at the Beacon this morning than no sooner I get a text informing me of 5 WHOOPER SWANS on WILSTONE. Rushed immediately down but arrived at the car park just in time to miss them - the four adults and one juvenile flying off SE at 0920! Their arrival followed that of 9 last night at Foxcote Reservoir, Buckingham, as well as a widespread arrival elsewhere. Had a good look around whilst I was there but no sign of the Ring-necked Duck (it had apparently relocated to Startop's) and just 125 EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER on the mud by the hide, 96 Shoveler, a mammoth 533 Teal, the Common Kingfisher, 3 Grey Wagtail and 4 Little Grebe.





 
I then returned to IVINGHOE BEACON and did a VizMig Watch from 1015 through to 1300 hours. A nice and varied passage followed -:
 
11 Goldcrest (noticeable arrival)
113 Fieldfare
69 Redwing
143 Common Starling
36 Chaffinch
4 BRAMBLING
1 REDPOLL
2 CORN BUNTINGS
1 Yellowhammer
36 Skylark
Stock Dove
11 Woodpigeon (the first evidence of any movement this autumn)

2 Bullfinch

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