Fieldfare and Redwing

This afternoon I walked up the bridlepath at Prestwick Carr and was fortunate to see a large flock of Fieldfare, Redwing and Thrushes. I was unable to get within 150 yards of them as they kept ahead of me.
Two or three set down for a drink from the path pools

There were also many Kestrel and Buzzards whose numbers seem to be growing rapidly.

As a footnote one of our family members dropped in to see us today and said that they had been watching Snow Bunting at the top of the beach at Hauxley a couple of days ago.

Sanderling - colour ringed from Iceland

Yesterday's visit to St. Mary's Island produced a nice flock of around 40 Sanderling on the South beach waterline. I managed to spot that one of them was colour ringed and took a few photos of it.

Last night I sent the images and details off to Jeroen Reneerkens who is heavily involved in the Sanderling ringing and sightings reporting.
Within an hour he replied and attached  the full log of 66 sightings of this particular bird.
It was first ringed at Sandgeroi - first beach, Iceland during May 2009,
and since then it has shown a remarkable consistant loyalty to its summer and wintering  locations
Sept 2009 St. Mary's Island
May 2010 Sandgeroi- first beach
Sept 2010 St. Mary's Island
May 2011 Sandgeroi- first beach

August 2011 St. Mary's Island
I noted from the log that I had seen and reported  this same bird in Jan 2010

St. Mary's Brent

We took the opportunity this morning to go to St. Mary's Island just as the tide was dropping and just about clearing the walkway to the island. Lots of birds around including this Brent Goose which appeared to be all on its lonesome.

I understand that the lack of white neck patch, and the upper-wing coverts tipped with white, indicates that it is a juvenile

Dragons and others

An afternoon wander along the bumpy road and up the bridal path brought some surprise dragonfly sightings

AND

a Golden-ringed Dragonfly which I was unable to photograph

Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Buzzards were among some great bird sightings

Popular Prestwick

Had a couple of hours before the takeaway opened so another visit to Prestwick Carr. When I arrived Bill was all on his lonesome but before long carloads were arriving.
I managed to spot a distant perched owl, which I was unable to distinguish between Long or Short since there were no eyes to be seen.
However after many pairs of human eyes it seemed to be agreed as a Long-eared Owl.
Over the period we caught sight of three other perched Short-eared Owls but  it was soon time for me to head towards the Queen Vic and the New Bengal.
Not having seen an Owl in flight on this particular visit I thought I'd add this painting on which I'm still working.
Am trying to record my memory of watching them taking off to hunt, from their well used fenceposts.