They've all falcon'ed off

What a turn around!  From the struggle with the weather yesterday, the forecast of dry weather and warmer temperatures came true and as soon as we opened the nets it was clear it could be a big day.  Starting at 3:30am we'd surpassed 250 birds by 6am.  Thankfully the activity began to subside allowing us time to catch up and enjoy a well earned and much appreciated cup of tea courtesy of our visitors Frank & Petra and Lee & Bernadette.

Redpoll continued to come in thick and fast with the day total eventually coming to an impressive 147, our biggest catch for this species so far.  Bluethroat numbers were up again with 42 caught whilst the notable absence of Meadow Pipit yesterday was rectified with 89 caught today.  A single Sedge Warbler was only our sixth of the trip but a reminder that this species breeds much further north than people realise.  A single Pied Flycatcher also added some extra interest.

We also managed to add two new species to the tally, one in the form of a beautiful Wheatear.  Having seen several birds flitting along the tide line over the last few days it was a nice surprise to find this adult female in the net.  Our second new species was a Dunnock, not a particularly notable species back home but this far north this bird is also one of the migrants heading south before the winter sets in.

Wheatear

The waders on the mudflats were very restless today, with large groups almost continually flying back and forth, but then why wouldn't you try and get away when up to four Merlin are busy hunting you!  The birds were keeping the wader flocks busy and away from our nets.  Having seen the bird patrolling the reserve, taking small passerines and even a vole from the tide line we were treated to an incredible view of an adult female catching a Meadow Pipit before perching on a rock next to the access track to pluck and eat her meal.  Fortunately we were in the car ready to leave site, so the car made an excellent hide and allowed up to get to within 10ft of the bird.  She wasn't in the slightest bit bothered by our presence and continue to feed and eat the entire kill before going on the hunt again.  A stunning bird to see so close.  Take a look at the video below or see more photos on Charlie Sargent's blog here - http://birdringers.blogspot.no/

At present the forecast for tomorrow is for rain until 8am, so our day may well be delayed.  If so we'll head out for some sightseeing and some birding until the weather clears and we can get catching again.

Totals (New Birds): Tuesday 9th August 2016

Reed Bunting 49

Bluethroat 42

Meadow Pipit 89

Willow Warbler 79

Redpoll 147

Brambling 9

Sedge Warbler 1

Fieldfare 8

Redwing 10

Greenfinch 5

Great Tit 6

Redstart 1

Arctic Redpoll 1

Pied Flycatcher 1

White Wagtail 1

Dunnock 1

Wheatear 1

Total 451