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 (Nov 21st). However, it looks short-lived (here at least) with a return to milder temps along with stormy weather (Storm Bert) this weekend. Unsurprisingly, the vis-mig has somewhat dropped off - but still worth a punt. 

A morning sea watch at SCP on Sunday Nov 24th: dry, gusty F7-8/SW/SSW: 07:50-0920: a single Velvet Scoter (west) at 08:34 was the highlight. Also: Common Scoter E, Kittiwake 121 (88E/33W), Gannet 36, RTD etc.... 

Crisp morning - November 20th 

1st winter YL Gull - Wheelers Bay - Nov 28th

Winter magic at Winkle Street ✨

Today’s snowy scenes are straight out of a postcard ❄️😍

📸 @Siennaeve101#IOW #IsleofWight #LoveGreatBritain #UNESCO #AONB #IsleofWightNationalLandscape #IsleofWightNL #Coast2024 pic.twitter.com/uRIodI55T1

— Visit Isle Of Wight (@VisitIOW) November 21, 2024

A couple of LITTLE AUK off Mudeford Quay today brought in by Storm Bert today @CHOG_birds @DorsetBirdClub @BirdGuides pic.twitter.com/qIaJ9ZTC5i

— Scott Usher (@SStanpit) November 24, 2024

Sound recordings (Hume's)

Recent uploads: all of my recordings of the recent (October) Ventnor Hume's warbler calling merged into one track;  and the same with most of the vis-mig autumn (Sept/Oct) Hawfinch recordings.

Flushed a Woodlark on Luccombe Down (Nov 12th). My recent run of Hawfinches seems to have come to an end, as well as generally across the Island; though one was in a Freshwater garden on Nov 14th. A likely flyover Snow Bunt on Nov 9th was a near-miss of sorts; distantly heard only (Luccombe Down/A.M); and the recorder failed to pick it up....

jonspar · Hume's Warbler (Ventnor Isle of Wight)

jonspar · Hawfinch(s) 2024

Another Hawfinch - seen and heard over the fields near Luccombe Village - November 5th.

Nice to see the sun again after the recent daily grey and overcast conditions. 

Firecrest - one of two outside my window - a few pairs breed close by and hear/see them almost daily; but always a treat!

Redwing - 'gak' type calls 

BOOM! What a morning. Caught this Estonian 8th Hume’s Warbler in the Sõrve B.O garden this a.m. Second humei which has been ever ringed in the country. Also long waited Estonian tick for me. pic.twitter.com/2F42Q5oFAv

— Tarvo Valker @birdinghaapsalu (@TarvoValker) October 23, 2024

Hawfinches

November kicked off with more Hawfinches: x3 this morning (Nov 1st) seen and heard together over Ventnor at 07:12 [c18 so far since end of September]. Plus, some reasonable vis-mig atop the downs including an unseen calling Golden Plover. 

November 4th: another Hawfinch over Ventnor (heard only just after 7am) that involved possibly more than one bird. Also, atop Luccombe Down were two Woodlarks: one heard and seen flying Eastwards at 08:03; followed by another single at 08:45 flushed from the ground and northwards (calling).

November 5th: a single Hawfinch went over Luccombe Farm (fields) NE at 13:36. And a Black Redstart along Leeson Rd (Ventnor) this morning...

November 6th: more Hawfinch (heard only/calls) near Luccombe Copse (east side of downs) at 08:08am. And a Brambling, Redwing etc....

And my first Fieldfares (x2) on Oct 30th:

And numerous Redwings:

One of 5 Hawfinch over Victoria Tower this morning, that’s 21 so far in the last week 😁 good numbers passing through us, mimicking that of Southern England.@BirdGuides @NatTrustJersey @Soc_Jersiaise @BirdTrack @jsynationalpark #BirdsSeenIn2024 pic.twitter.com/coW6VfWSfp

— Jersey Birding (@Jerseybirding) October 30, 2024