In Search of Migrants at Landguard Point

 7th October 2020

There has certainly been signs of migration this week so time for a visit to Landguard Point to see if any of their new arrivals had stuck around. The initial signs were good as there were a lot more Dunnocks, Robins and Blackbirds around than usual, presumably supplemented by some continental birds. What was noticeable was that the Robins were very skulking, preferring to "tick" from the inside a bush. Only this one individual gave me a brief back view. The Blackbird was a juvenile male moulting into its adult plumage.

The only birds out on the beach were this male House Sparrow and a 2CY Mediterranean Gull. I suspect that the sparrow was not a migrant, but was having a short break from the cottage garden by the observatory.

There were a few Chiffchaffs around but uncharacteristically shy and mostly detected by call and glimpses from inside the brambles and Tamarisk. Out of what must have been a dozen birds, this is the only shot I got.

However, a sole male Blackcap was far more cooperative and was more interested in devouring blackberries than wondering what I was doing.

I then spent some time tracking a small brown job as it shuffled its way through the brambles, and it was only when it eventually stuck its head out that I realised that it was a Reed Warbler. Not quite what I was expecting but after all there are no reed-beds here and when you are on migration you have to eat.

Out on the lawn were the usual flock of Linnets which were quite flighty, but did settle down eventually for some serious feeding

The other usual suspects were Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits, although the latter were fairly scarce today and preferred to remain hidden as much as possible in the vegetation.

But as is often the case the stars of the show today were the 10 or so Wheatears which are normally quite happy to be photographed down to about 20 yards. This is quite close enough for some good shots, especially when the sun comes out.