More out than in

The cold north-easterly wind persists so I decided to postpone birding time rations to later on this week and just did a couple of hours at Medmerry this morning. 67 species of just over 900 individuals (Ebird list HERE) so about a 60 percent decrease in the number of individuals since earlier on in the winter (e.g. HERE). Sounds like the geese and ducks are slowly dissappearing from all over the Peninsula despite the cool conditions and lack of day visible migration so presumably dripping out overnight. So it certainly seems like a case of birds leaving but these cold winds seem to be halting most of the birds coming in. Things are set to change from Wednesday onwards which couuld be interesting as a relatively warm southerly wind resumes. 

Highlights today were two Little Ringed Plovers on Stilt Pool (which arrived a few days ago), a Green Sandpiper, 13 Avocets and my first Fieldfares of the year. Now on 129 for the year locally.

Chaffinches were migrating in these winds along the east coast of Kent last week and today Mipits are moving over Portland but doesn't seem to be any sign of that round here apart from low numbers of Mipits. There's also been about 10 Wheatears on Portland island in this quiet spell too. Will be interesting to compare the Spring migration here to other areas on the South Coast this year. 

Little Ringed and Ringed Plover

A nice summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit with Teal 

Avocets- this grouped arrived last week in the milder conditons

Only 35 Brents left from what I could see

Fieldfare- really is not a common bird round here. My first for the year.

Skylark. Really is a common bird round here (at Medmerry). Despite the weather, the air was thick with Skylark song this morning.