The pace of migration started to increase this week. Bird of the week was a male summer plumage Brambling which joined the Hoopoe from last week on the football field on Wednesday evening but both appeared to have gone by Thursday
Other new spring migrants for the week were
Cattle Egret – a few now moving off-shore together with Little Egret. The main egret migration is in April
Common Kestrel – one in off the sea on Wednesday
Oriental Cuckoo – a single early bird near the ferry pier on Thursday, presumably Horsfield’s
White’s Thrush – the first of the year at the lower school, must be a migrant passing through
Tree Sparrow – the first of the year on Tuesday. This species is a migrant on Po Toi.
Large-billed Crow – a group of three birds chased off by the resident pair on Wednesday
White-shouldered Starling – the first two on Wednesday, a typical earliest spring date
No flycatchers although a Narcissus was reported from the school area on Tuesday, I didn’t manage to see it.
Seabirds have so far been disappointing. Just a few Heuglin’s Gulls and Red-necked Phalaropes with no sign of migration as in earlier years. Also no Ancient Murrelet yet.
Advance warning. The dates of this year’s Tin Hau Festival have been set to coincide with Easter. An extended Ferry Service between Aberdeen and Po Toi will apply from Friday 22nd April through to and including Tuesday 26th April. Details later.
[
Last edited by wgeoff at 25/03/2011 07:25 ]