Eastern Yellow Wagtail (probable at East Cowes)

A photograph taken of a wagtail along East Cowes esplanade circulated via social media on November 7th was quickly suspected to be a 1st winter Eastern Yellow Wagtail, a race of Yellow Wagtail (motacilla tschutschensis) and a rarity for the UK; local birders soon investigated and twitched it. Today I caught up with it, easily found along the sea wall (occasionally dropping over to the beach), feeding - it was especially confiding. It also gave a couple of calls when it flew off, though it wasn't particularly vocal otherwise; however, the recording could prove very useful in identifying its race. This is my second UK bird (1st at Prestwick Carr Jan 2020) but my first as a local island tick. If accepted - besides photos and the sound recording: a faecal sample was collected by other birders for DNA analysis - this will be a first for the island. It's also probably been present there since September 21st being only latterly identified on Nov 7th. Certainly, bird of the year (so far). 

Casually strolling towards us seemingly unperturbed.

And the moment it flew up and called

Prestwick Carr bird (Jan 2020 twitch)

Lapland Bunting (Bonchurch Down vis mig)

Bonchurch Down, breezy fresh NW, early morning: the highlight was a calling flyover Lapland Bunting (recorder on near me/sound recorded) at 08:30am; my first of the autumn. Also a few Brambling, siskin, mipits, skylarks etc. 

2018 Luccombe Down bird:

Vis mig (Swifts)

Vis mig on the 25th (breezy SW and showers) at Luccombe Down included some steady overhead passage; six each of Brambling and Reed Bunting, nine L.Redpoll, 30 Siskin, 200 each of Linnet and Goldfinch, and a Yellowhammer. Other news: Mark Buckley had a swift sp at Haddon's Pits on 24th and likely a 'Pallid'; with another seen at Appley Beach on 25th. 

 

End of October, 31st, Luccombe Down (7am-10:45am), cloudy, breezy SE winds, 15c:

Brambling 6, Reed bunt 7, Siskin 27, L. Redpoll 8, Greenfinch 5, Swallow 13, House Martin 2, Stock Dove 45, Starling 95, Rock Pipit. 

Thrushes

Oct 20th: fieldfare and redwing over; also ring ouzel and song thrush seen; and a late Tree Pipit; Luccombe Down, afternoon.

 https://twitter.com/mrtnrey/status/1582754415429050368?s=20&t=Ffx3JdgWUII3vVpgzRN2Pg

Other local news: Snow bunting has been at Culver (Down/headland) for four days. White Storks (two to three ringed Knepp birds) have been seen in Various spots (Horringford, Merstone; originally Brighstone). 

More Woodlark(s)

Luccombe Down (07:00 - 0930), cloudy, SW. 

Woodlark: Two to three flyover(s), first one at 08:30 and second at 09:15; the latter bird was fairly low down and stalled mid-air, giving great views as well as calling constantly! It probably landed as on the way back to the car I heard and saw one near the car park as it flew off low and west. Another Brambling and Lesser Redpoll, and plenty of siskin (mostly SW), Linnet, and Goldfinch. 

Upcoming:

Vis Mig (Sunrise)

The mornings are probably the best time, visually and aurally. 

My second Woodlark of the autumn flew over on the 12th. Plus, good numbers of siskins...A late-ish Tree Pipit on 6th pricked up my ears. 

Angle Shades (I believe) phlogophora meticulosa

Vis mig (Woodlark)

Luccombe (Ventnor) Down:

7am - 10:50am

SE winds/Cloudy.

South easterlies seem to be ideal for this part of the island with birds moving on a broad front over the downs. The highlight was a calling (flyover) Woodlark, always a nice vis mig bird. Also, a decent movement and variety of species. Totals included (eastward movements): 1,500 Mipits, 59 Skylark, 78 Siskin, 117 Pied/alba wagtails; plus, a couple of Brambling and Reed Buntings; masses of hirundines. 

Sound of early autumn, mipits and Brambling. And a Video snippet: