Egyptian Goose (update)

Went back today (April 13th) to see how the family were doing and could only see five goslings this time (nine goslings before/see March 15th); good to see both attentive parents keeping close to them.

 

Early hours of the 12th: active & calling barn owl(s) picked up near home in Ventnor..

Spring seawatch

Today, breezy easterlies predominated, and after seeing reports aplenty from the morning (velvet scoters etc), I paid SCP an afternoon visit and arrived there at 3pm. Although it was somewhat slow going, highlights included a Black-throated diver, Bonxie, a few arctic skuas, Manxies (seven E), C.Scoter, a flock of duck sp (probably pintail and teal), a lone Whimbrel, a few sarnies east, plus a few odds and ends as well (15:00-18:30).  

Noc-mig near SCP lighthouse (ongoing) April 9th - 10th, overnight (20:30 - 05:00) so far has produced a coot and a moorhen (sound recorded). 

Tuesday 12th: Luccombe Down, singing Whitethroat (1st of the year), and Cuckoo on St. Boniface Down (Ventnor Downs).. 

SEO

Luccombe Down: SEo, Tree pipit, House Martin, all new for the year. 

Glossy Ibis

Up to 11 Glossy Ibis have been at Brading Marsh since December ('21) and still continue to enjoy that part of the area; eight or nine seen today just off Laundry Lane; also Marsh Harrier(s) and at least one WT Eagle seen.  

Digiscope into the light - cracking birds; potential new breeding species for the UK?

Friday 25th: Bonchurch Down; 3 x Black Redstart and 3 x Red Kite atop Luccombe Down midday. 

Monday 28th: trip over to the mainland; visited Chichester (Lakeside Park/Trout Lake, off the Chichester Bypass A27) to see the Bonaparte's Gull but no sign for us; two x RC Pochard (pair) in the area, med gull flock, and quite a number of greylags. 

Egyptian Geese (bred)

Whilst doing a local WeBS count I happened upon this Egyptian Goose family:

First breeding record for the island. Nine goslings..

Spring

Ventnor Downs: Brambling, yellowhammer etc.

SCP: Black Redstart, Siskin, Cetti's (vocal), House Sparrow (1m, 2f).

Long eared owl

Evening/dusk locally: singing firecrest (x2), singing Long-eared owl, Snipe (flyover), Barn Owl (vocal) and redwing (atop Luccombe Down). 

March 9th: first Brimstone and small tortoiseshell (Holm oak f/p and Bonchurch Down); odd mipit; signs of Spring...