Despite today's blustery conditions there were a few birds on offer around the island, with the relative shelter of the Pennsylvania Castle/Glen Caravan Park/Church Ope area coming up with a creditable 5
Chiffchaffs, 2
Black Redstarts and a
Firecrest; further single
Black Redstarts were at Reap Lane and Blacknor. Two flocks of
Goldfinches - totalling just 12 - leaving out to sea at the Bill were presumably tardy migrants, whilst 2
Red-throated Divers passed by on the sea there and the wintering
Grey Heron was knocking about in the Strips.
The long-staying Grey Heron at the Bill looks to be in second-winter plumage and is presumably the same individual (...it certainly has the same peculiar habits of plodding around/feeding in the dry fields) as the youngster that spent several months there last winter © Martin Cade:
