Bearded Tits (Vis mig) and Redstart sp?

Quite a decent vis mig session atop Ventnor Downs this morning on a much brighter day following several days of iffy weather. One sought after vis-migging species for me, well one of many, Bearded Tit (reedling), is one I've considered going over and sure enough for the first time it happened today; in a local context, another species that is probably less than annual on the Island and one I haven't experienced locally in over 10 years?! I recall last seeing them at Yarmouth (old railway station/ponds) on the odd occasion, a spot where they should be seen. And Brading marsh has had odd records in recent years...Unfortunately, I didn't see these as they passed over the downs around 10:15 - but as usual I had the recorder going to capture their unmistakable flight calls..

Aside from that highlight: two more Woodlarks (my fifth and sixth autumn birds) went right over me (calling) and at least 19 Xbills were nice to see, plus other bits n bobs including several Brambling. 

October 26th: a Redstart (fem type) was seen and photographed on Culver Down; it was pondered and suggested as a possible 'Eastern' Black Redstart/or hybrid? It remains a cautious if interesting 'possible'. One that could easily be overlooked. It'll be interesting to see the outcome of its ID either way. 

October 30th: the vismig highlight (before the heavens opened once again) included 68 Crossbills over Luccomber Down. Plus, a Ring Ouzel hanging about. [A lot of rain lately and the daily shoddy weather seems stuck - with more forecast this week including storms] 

Large Shearwaters (Great and Cory's)

An incredible sea watch, certainly by local standards anyway, unfolded at SCP on 13th. For context, there's only ever been a couple of accepted local records of single Great Shearwater thus far, one of which (one of the Island's first) I happened to be a part of with Dean back in July of 2018 - so these totals five years on abruptly took it to another level - to put it mildly. Also, Cory's may well be a relatively annual bird passing by here in small numbers, but double-figure counts are unheard of too. Fortunately big numbers (100s) were also seen not far away from us along the coast in Dorset (Durlston and Portland especially) - otherwise I think most local birders would have understandably questioned our sightings?! The question now: is it going to be the new normal? Presumably, a consequence of warmer sea temperatures etc, driving more of these sea birds northwards and then eventually even up channel into our waters...

I joined George around 09:15 near the eastern wall of the lighthouse, just after he'd already had quite a few Greats/Cory's past, and we soon picked up more of both species consistently heading by west. And Mark joined us too. [Squally showers to begin with, sunshine, ending with showers; F7 SW]. Totals compiled by George:

Durlston seawatch 6.45-15-15. Simply phenomenal with 350+ Great, 50+ Cory’s, 9 Balearics, 7 Sooty’s, 2 Manx, 1 Bonxie & 5Arctic Skuas. A day I’ll never forget. @DorsetBirdClub pic.twitter.com/E8r9XJm7ug

— OTBT birder (@BirderOtbt) October 13, 2023

Ring Ouzels (thrushes)

Vis mig thrushes: first Redwing yesterday; first fieldfare over this morning, plus several Ring ouzels on Ventnor Downs and 18+ reported on WHD. 

Plenty of variety over including 54 Redpolls and another Hobby (1cy) south yesterday. 

 

One of today's Ring Ouzels (above) - comparable with March's noc bird (below):

Record shot of ROs (at least four in this tree)

Clouded Yellow with Wall Brown - never really settled.

Woodlark(s)

The first Woodlarks, couple of singles AM and PM (latter one seen and heard with Neil) went over Luccombe Down on Sept 30th - a sure sign of autumn progressing - along with increasing numbers of linnets, chaffinch, alba wags, and the odd reed bunt/redpolls etc. However, the day-time temps remain very mild (around 18c). Today (Oct 1st), a Vestal on Luccombe Down, a migrant moth from the south (southern Europe and North Africa) - no doubt on the back of the southerly air flow. 

04/10/Luccombe/Bonchurch down: pretty good vis mig numbers, siskins, redpoll, goldfinch, couple of yellowhammers, pied wags, swallows/hmartins; and another single Woodlark high up and west at 09:08.

Luccombe Down: record shot of the Vestal Rhodometra sacraria (01/10)

Redpolls starting to go over now:

Another flyover Woodlark 04/10 - just about audible in between the boisterously singing Robin:

The sunshine always brings out Ventnor's ubiquitous wall lizards 

Momentary tussle - presumably a territorial dispute

 Yellowhammer: Aside from spring and autumn migration, I don't often see or hear them on this part of the island - despite the habitat etc - though obviously they breed not far away - the island probably still has a fairly stable(ish) widespread population. This one was perched before flying off. At least two others went over too (all west).

Quite a bit of stoat action lately:

Violet ground beetle - carabus problematicus - Luccombe Down

Bonchurch 06/10 - Rusty-dot Pearl and Silver Y (immigrant) moths: