22nd October

After the past couple of weeks of a feeling of anticipation (even if few rarities ever materialised), today was somewhat of a come-down. The heavy rain shower after dawn should have provided some grounded migrants, but it became abundantly clear that the overnight conditions had hampered any night-time movements. A steady trickle of Goldfinches, Chaffinches and alba wagtails emerged in the mid-morning, along with single figures of Siskins, Fieldfares and six Redwings. The highlight of the day came with a scan through the stubble fields where a flock of 175 Skylarks were joined by a single WoodlarkBlack Redstarts continued to put in a small showing with seven throughout the Obs area, 4 at the Grove and 2 at Blacknor. Away from the Obs, the Rosy Starling continued its long-stay, at least one Merlin made its rounds around the centre and south of the island, a Siberian Lesser Whitethroat emerged at Thumb Lane, and three Ring Ouzels were at Fancy's Farm. As the Sycamore continue to lose their leaves the remaining and arriving 'crests and warblers become more evident with a smattering of Firecrests and Yellow-browed Warblers across the island. 

Merlins continue to be a regular feature © Ralph Todd:


A couple of the Redwings in recent days have stood out from the rest - notably through being distinctly swarthier and bigger (both with wing-lengths in the upper 120s) - and seem likely to have been Icelandic coburni birds; this one was trapped at the Obs this morning © Martin Cade: