Wednesday, 6 November 2019

Wood pigeons

Big movements today and the island had a taste with tens of thousands moving along the south coast. Mark was watching from Blackgang and had undoubtedly the lion's share with 24,260 from the West/moving E/then SW and (presumably most) out to sea. Meanwhile, from a different position we only picked up c2000 moving ENE over Ventnor Town; although later on into the session I did notice a flock u-turn and head SW; it's also interesting that that probably coincided with a complete flip in the wind direction from NNE to south - perhaps influencing things.

The mystery of where do they go? Both vis mig watches were fairly synchronised and time-wise of similar lengths - and it's generally considered they don't cross the channel (no obvious spring migration and an autumn Westerly bias). So presumably the majority headed back West.   

  

Tail end of things...(Velvet Scoter)

Following a protracted mild period since the summer, conditions suddenly changed with the first frost (Nov 20th) and a light dusting of snow...